Should solar panels be cleaned? How to determine it?
After making the decision and investing in our clean and sustainable energy system comes the following question: should solar panels be cleaned?
It is logical to think about this because we have made an important investment in this project. We also want our equipment to last a long period of time and give us the best possible performance.
There are many different opinions about the maintenance of the solar panels. If we ask a service provider, of course he will say that you have to maintain your panels.
The important thing is that we take into account all the factors that can affect our solar panels, and learn a little more about our system.
In this way, we can constantly monitor the operation and physical state of the equipment, and decide with certainty when it is appropriate to make maintenance. Let’s start with the factors that affect our system.
What affects my panels?
There are two types of installations of solar energy systems: flat and inclined. In the case of flat systems, we must take in mind that the lack of inclination increases the risk of accumulating external agents that may worry us, such as water. These types of projects are good; they just require a little more attention. Let’s look at the main factors that may affect us in both cases:
- Dust: Since the moment that the panel is in contact with the environment, it is exposed to dust. It is the main factor that impacts the energy efficiency of the panel. A thin layer of dust can be considered normal, and usually the rain takes care of it. However, when the dust is turned into mud it can lower the efficiency
- Other debris: Bird droppings and other solid waste such as leaves can affect the performance. Note that the object must not cover the entire panel to achieve this
- Inclination: Even in sloping systems it must be kept in mind that a panel with 5 ° requires more attention than one with 10 °. The less inclined tends to form dirt on the lower edge. Unfortunately, this value determines how the system will catch the sunlight
- Location: A panel installed in the city becomes less dirty than one located in an agricultural area. Also, the presence of trees or any element that shades the system can affect the performance
- Weather: Rain is the main ally of self-cleanliness of our panels. The more rain falls in the year, the less probability of a poor performance we can expect
When should I check?
We don’t need to do a weekly panel check. There are three simple things that can tell us when we need to pay more attention:
Low Performance: This is the first symptom that something is wrong. Take in mind that a brand new installed system will give its maximum performance on the first day. Later the performance will decrease, but it’ll become steady. Over time you will notice when the energy is not running smoothly
Obvious Dirty: You can check this with the naked eye. We know that dirty involves shadow and the consequence is low efficiency
Check the inverters: Consult the user’s guide regarding the indicator lights of your inverters. At first glance we can verify that everything is working correctly
Do I do it myself or call for service?
If you consider that it’s necessary to perform maintenance onthe system,then you need to ask yourself: do I do it myself? That is a good question. Washing the panels on our own may seem like a good idea, at least initially.
In case you decide to do it, take in mind that despite this is outdoor equipment, it is still a delicate one. You must have all the security measures to avoid injuries. Maintenance often requires mounting on the roof or using ladders, so the risk is greater.
Hiring the professional services has a major con – it costs money. However, it has many advantages, including:
Warranties: All equipment on the market comes with at least 20 years warranty. You should be aware that an improper maintenance of the panels can cancel it. If your system is on the lease, check the contract asmany of them have included the maintenance service in the price
Low risk: they assume it and have personnel trained for the task. Also, they must comply with all safety regulations and have the special equipment to do the maintenance
Use of appropriate inputs: the soaps they use are biodegradable. Plus, there are many companies that treat the panel with deionized water to achieve a deep cleaning
Other problems detection:technicians check the condition of the equipment. There may be scratches or breaks that are affecting the performance. Dirt is not the only thing that can cause a malfunction
To conclude
Always consult with the user’s guide or ask the provider that installed the panels in case you have any doubts. Also, check the conditions of loans and leasing contracts, as well as the equipment’s warranty.
It’s important to know whether performing a system maintenance job requires some kind of permission from the local government, or just a few arrangements to let the technicians work properly.
The simple way to determine if your solar panels should be cleaned is to check the performance.Therefore, create a yearly verification schedule. Check the status by observing the system and the indicator lights of the inverters. You can also schedule a technical review every 6 months, to be sure.
If in your case the system has energy storage systems you should also be aware of the maintenance recommendations. The idea is to ensure that in time you remain in the best possible conditions, giving a good return on the money you have invested in the long term.