Solar panels are cells that absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. They have become an essential part of every household to lead a sustainable lifestyle. The amount of electricity a solar panel produces depends on the amount of sunlight it absorbs. Dirty solar panels absorb 30% more sunlight than clean ones. Clean solar panels generate more electricity as sunlight activates their electrons to generate more power. Cleaning solar panels uses a large amount of water. That’s why scientists are looking for alternative ways to reduce water consumption.

Steps To Clean Solar Panels

1. Removing The Dust

Manually cleaning your solar panels is the most efficient and effective way to clean your panels. Using waterless sprinkler is the most innovative way to clean your solar panels. However, waterless sprinkler are quite expensive. The simplest way to clean solar panels is to dust your solar panels with the soft brush. It is important to remember that you need to clean the bristles of the brush. Anything that is not soft can damage your solar plates. If you live in a remote area, there are very few dust particles that will build up on your solar panels. Therefore, dusting your solar panels without water is the best way to do it.

2. Spray Cleaning

You can use a water hose to clean your solar panels; however, keep in mind the water pressure. You can use a nozzle to adjust the water pressure. When using water to clean your solar panel, it is important to check the water temperature. The temperature difference between the solar panels and the water should not exceed 1 degree Celsius. Exceeding the temperature difference could cause the glass to crack. A water hose is a simple and traditional method of cleaning your solar panels because you can choose how much water to use.

3. Scrubbing

It’s important to clean the dirt using a soft brush to prevent damage to the solar panels. If it’s only dust, clean the panel surface with a soft brush, and then use water to clean the area further. Dirt like bird poop can’t be cleaned with water, so you can try using a mild soap. In any case, it’s best to be careful about the chemicals you use on your solar panels because they can react with them.

4. Measure the Effect

Once your solar panel has been cleaned with all the right tools and equipment, you can assess the performance of your clean solar panel. If your solar panel is working properly and producing the desired amount of power, then you have successfully completed the cleaning process. On the other hand, if you haven’t cleaned your solar panels for a while, or if you’re cleaning after a long period of time, the dirt may not come out easily. That’s when it’s time to call in a professional.

5. Ask For Professional Help

Solar panels are exposed to extreme environmental conditions, such as pollution, snow, and bird droppings. In some cases, even insects can get inside the panels and cause them to become dirty. If you don’t clean your solar panels of all kinds of dirt, they lose their effectiveness. Sometimes, you can’t clean the panels by yourself and in such cases, you need to call a professional. A Swish solar professional knows all of the conditions that you might not know about cleaning your solar panels. In addition, your solar system needs to be checked and maintained regularly to ensure that it can continue to produce electricity for a long time.