Solar Panel Cleaning Near Me | Robina

Dangers of DIY Solar Panel Cleaning

Do My Solar Panels Really Need Cleaning?

In most cases, the rain can do a pretty decent job of cleaning dust and debris from your solar panels.

However, it’s still a good idea to keep this task on your list of property maintenance tasks as there are many situations in which a good clean can help boost the performance of your panels.

How Often Do Robina Solar Panels Need to Be Cleaned?

We recommend cleaning your solar panels every 6 months. Even if you only clean them once a year, we recommend you do it before winter sets in.

Of all seasons, autumn tends to have the most dust, leaves and other debris floating around that can more easily dirty up your panels.

Also, since winter days tend to be shorter and with weaker sunlight, you would be giving your panels a boost so they can gather as much energy as possible before the cold sets in.

Let’s take a moment to look at these factors:

1. Injuries

Being on the roof and cleaning can easily lead to injuries if you’re not careful. Make sure you invest in some proper safety equipment so you don’t slip or fall off the roof.

If your roof is old, you may also be at risk of being injured by parts that come off or are damaged.

Before getting up there to clean your solar panels, make sure you’ve checked out your roofing structure for potential damage or areas that may lead to injury. Also, make sure you have appropriate safety equipment with you.

Better yet, if your building is only one level, you may be able to find extendable poles that allow you to clean from the ground or a more stable surface.

2. Using Harsh Materials

Solar panels are delicate. The integrity of their surface is important for optimal functionality and the kinds of cleaning products or harsh chemicals you use could lead to unwanted damage.

Make sure to avoid using a harsh brush. Instead, a soft brush or sponge will do the trick.

You should also rethink the whole soap situation. Soap leaves a filmy residue on solar panels which can work against you by encouraging a faster buildup of dirt.

 3. Using Wrong Cleaning Methods

Last but not least, the method you use to clean your solar panels matters.

Many people find pressure washing to be the fastest soap-free solution but you have to be careful not to use too high a pressure.

It’s a fine balance between having the right pressure to clean the panels but not so high it causes damage or invisible cracks to start forming in the glass.