4 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Clean your Solar Panels Yourself
With the rise of solar energy, many homeowners are now investing in solar panels to power their homes. While solar panels are an excellent investment, they require maintenance to ensure they work at their best. One common mistake homeowners make is attempting to clean their solar panels themselves, instead of hiring a professional. In this blog post, we will discuss the pitfalls of cleaning solar panels yourself and why it’s a bad idea.
- Safety risks
Cleaning solar panels is a job that requires safety precautions. Solar panels are often installed on the roof, which means you need to climb a ladder to reach them. If you’re not experienced with climbing ladders, you’re at risk of falling and injuring yourself. Additionally, cleaning solar panels requires the use of deionized water, which we will covert the importance of in a future post.
- Damage to the panels
Solar panels are fragile, and any damage can affect their performance. When you attempt to clean your solar panels yourself, you run the risk of damaging them with abrasive materials or using too much pressure. If you use cleaning solutions or tools, you could scratch the surface of the panels, cau
sing irreversible damage. Even small scratches can reduce the efficiency of the panels, which means you’ll lose out on potential energy savings.
- Voiding the warranty
Most solar panel manufacturers offer warranties that cover defects and malfunctions. However, these warranties often come with terms and conditions that you must adhere to. One of these conditions typically states that you need to hire a professional to clean and maintain the panels. If you attempt to clean the panels yourself and cause damage, you could void the warranty and be responsible for all repair costs.
- Inefficiency
The purpose of solar panels is to generate electricity efficiently. If the panels are not clean, they cannot absorb as much sunlight, which means they will not produce as much electricity. Even a small layer of dust or debris can reduce the efficiency of the panels by a significant amount. By attempting to clean the panels yourself, you may not be able to remove all the dirt and debris, or further cause hard water stains from mineralized water, leading to decreased efficiency and higher energy bills.
In conclusion, attempting to clean your solar panels yourself is not a good idea. Not only does it pose safety risks, but it can also lead to damage, voiding of warranties, and inefficiency. To ensure your solar panels continue to work at their best, hire a professional to clean and maintain them regularly. They have the expertise and tools necessary to get the job done safely and effectively, and you’ll enjoy the full benefits of your solar investment.
Need a Pro? Click to contact us.
References:
-
I have to clean my solar panels, and you probably do too (2016) https://www.greenbuilt.org/i-have-to-clean-my-solar-panels-and-you-probably-do-too/
-
How to clean solar panels: Your guide to solar panel cleaning (2023). Sunrun. https://www.sunrun.com/go-solar-center/solar-articles/how-to-clean-solar-panels
- Analysis of dust losses in photovoltaic modules (2011) . https://www.irishellas.com/files/Analysis-of-dust-losses-in-photovoltaic-modules_2011.pdf