Dust, bird droppings and pollution form a film on the glass of the panels and block some of the light. In a dusty climate the loss can be noticeable, and it comes back every few weeks, which is why cleaning is part of every maintenance visit.
Done badly, cleaning can also damage the panels, so the method matters.
Key takeaways
- Dust on the glass reduces the light that reaches the cells.
- Clean in the early morning or the evening, when the panels are cool.
- Use soft brushes and clean water; avoid hard tools and harsh chemicals.
- Clean from safe positions and never walk on the panels.
Why cleaning matters
The glass should pass as much light as it can. A layer of dust, and droppings in particular, shades part of the cells, and a shaded cell can reduce the output of the whole string. A regular clean keeps the output closer to what the system should give.
How we clean
- Choose a cool time of day, so that cold water does not shock hot glass and does not dry with marks.
- Rinse off loose dust with clean water.
- Wipe with a soft brush or a sponge on a pole, with plain water or a mild cleaner that the panel maker allows.
- Rinse again and let the glass dry.
- Look at the panels, frames and cables as we go, and note anything to repair.
What to avoid
- Hard brushes, scrapers and abrasive pads that scratch the glass.
- Strong chemicals or hard, mineral-rich water that leaves marks.
- Cleaning in the heat of the day.
- Walking on the panels or standing on the frames.
How often
It depends on the dust where you are, the tilt of the panels and the season. We suggest a schedule after a visit, and a clean after a dust storm or a long dry spell. For the other checks of a visit, see inverter, battery and UPS checks.
When to call us
We include panel cleaning and a full inspection in our maintenance visits. Use the contact page or the quote page, see our maintenance services, or look at the solar panels we supply.
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