Cleaning dirty panels with commercial detergents can be time consuming costly hazardous to the environment or even corrode the solar panel frame.
How do self cleaning solar panels work.
Solar panels can become incredible hot in sunshine.
These work by using a hydrophobic coating that stops water droplets from sticking to the surface as the droplets roll off of the panels they also take dirt and dust with them.
If you do decide your solar panels need to be cleaned there are two main ways of doing it.
Hire a professional or do it yourself.
Do self cleaning solar panels exist.
Either clean your solar panels in the morning afternoon or pick a relatively cool day.
A lot of solar companies will offer this type of service to you for a fee of course.
First try if your garden hose alone does the job.
Cleaning can cost up to five dollars per panel.
Ideally solar panels should be cleaned every few weeks to maintain peak efficiency which is especially hard to do for large solar panel arrays.
Without it your panels could generate anywhere from 15 25 less energy depending on the extent of filth.
They might have specific recommendations for cleaning.
Many solar installers now offer arrays that use self cleaning panels.
Many of those who are new to solar energy don t actually know that solar panels need to be clean in order to properly work.
But when your solar panels do need a cleaning here s the best safest and the most effective way to do it.
That s why it comes as a surprise to most when they re told that solar panels require routine cleaning.
How to clean solar panels.