They may look scary and technical but in fact the technology is securely sealed inside the solar panel.
Why clean solar panels.
Early morning can be a particularly good time for cleaning as dew that has settled on the panels overnight will likely have softened grime.
Cleaning ones solar panels is not hard at all.
Solar panels work by allowing light into the solar cells.
Cleaning solar panels that had been in operation for 15 months doubled their output of electricity.
And with a typical 5kw solar system this might equate to about 20 of loss in your energy bill.
Angled ones take advantage of rain running across them to keep them clean.
Solar panel cleaning is a great chance to check your panels over and make sure they are in good condition.
The best way to clean solar panels is through professional help.
Not monthly overall.
One thing to consider is the angle of your array.
They found that tilted panels don t require cleaning as much as flat panels.
But the amount the efficiency is lowered is minute maybe 5 or less.
Some manufacturers and solar panel users report a jump in efficiency of 30 percent or more after a cleaning.
Google did a study on the need to clean solar panels.
Solar panels that were cleaned professionally had a 12 higher output of electricity compared to those cleaned by rain.
Why clean solar panels.
If the sun is beating down on the panels any water used can quickly evaporate and dirt will become smeared.
Simply put if you can clean a window you can clean a solar panel.
Finally cleaning your solar cells extends their life.
In most cases occasional rain will be enough to naturally and safely keep your solar panels clean and free of debris that could lower production.
All the electrical stuff is safely protected with aluminum frames hardened glass and insulation.
This was confirmed by another study by engineers at the university of california san diego which found that a minimum five degree angle helped debris to slide off the panels.
Clean your solar panelson an overcast day early in the morning or in the evening.
It may be a good idea to freshen up your panels occasionally if you live in an area with heavy particulates in the air.
Yes dirt and debris can affect how much sunlight gets through to convert the light to energy.
The more light that hits a panel the more power it will generate.
It s a good idea to keep track of your energy output before and after a cleaning because that alone can be enough motivation to get your panels cleaned.
Due to the upwards angle of solar panels they are more prone to bird droppings and a build up of general dust and dirt that does not wash off with just rain.
The same study also found that rain is not a satisfying way of cleaning solar panels.
Flat panels will need more upkeep as water can pool up and leave a muddy residue when it evaporates.