Sunlight powers up solar panels. But what powers up their performance and appeal for longer? It’s nothing but regular cleaning and proper maintenance.
Many people had installed the solar panel in their living and working space to prevent excessive usage of power. If you are a solar panel owner, you might have wondered how to clean and maintain solar panels or asked yourself, is rainwater enough to clean solar panels?
Rainwater can clean solar panels, but to some extent, it only removes the upper layer of dust. To have an aesthetic appeal, a deep manual cleaning or machine cleaning is required to remove in-depth residues. To understand why rainwater is not sufficient to clean solar panels, continue reading the content below.
Why Should You Clean the Solar Panels?
Keeping the solar panels clean is essential because neat and well maintained panels provide efficient energy, save maintenance costs, prevent dark stains, etc., People find it difficult to maintain solar panels and question, does rain clean solar panels? Rainwater cleans solar panels, but rainwater alone is insufficient for deep cleaning. The cleaning provides,
- Dust Removal: Cleaning the solar panels through rainwater or manual cleaning is important to remove dust or dirt that stays on the panels for long periods.
- Clear Bird Droppings: There are bird droppings and dirt on the top of solar panels, which may cause a foul smell naturally. To remove those odors, the cleaning of solar panels regularly is essential.
- Extracts Leaves and Rainwater Dirt: During heavy wind and other climatic conditions, there are high chances of wind dirt and leaves on the panels. Removing those leaves provides a clean and well-maintained look.
Is Rainwater Not Sufficient to Clean the Solar Panels?
The rainwater can clean the solar panels but not in depth by removing deep stains. It requires manual cleaning or machine cleaning to wipe away the intense residues. People may think, how should I clean solar panels without damaging them? It is straightforward and simple to do manual cleaning.
Also, there is confusion about which cleaning to choose to maintain solar panels between automatic solar panel cleaning vs rain water cleaning. As mentioned earlier, rainwater cleaning provides minimal removal of dust, whereas automatic solar panel cleaning with the help of machines can clean deep dirt and residues to be highly efficient.
Benefits of Manual Cleaning Comparing to Rainwater Cleaning
Rainwater is inadequate for intense cleaning of solar panels because it doesn’t remove all the dust on them. If you opt for manual cleaning, human action can effectively remove even deep dirt. Both rain vs manual cleaning solar panels have their specific benefits. They are.
- Hard Cleaning of Dark Residues
The solar panels consist of deep residues, so manual cleaning is applied here because rainwater is not sufficient for a proper cleaning. - Aesthetic Look
The manual cleaning works well to provide an aesthetic look, but rainwater cleaning doesn’t provide a clean appeal. Rain, dirt, and windy dust remain on the panel, leaving it uncleaned. People may wonder, do solar panels need cleaning after rain? Absolutely, yes, it needs the next layer of intense cleaning. - Improves Longevity and Durability
Manual cleaning of the solar panels boosts their durable life because keeping them clean expands their life span. Installing solar panels on larger buildings and homes is expensive, so regular maintenance is essential to extend their functionality. - Looks Stain Free and Fresh
A proper cleaning provides the solar panel a stain-free look. When compared to rainwater cleaning, manual cleaning presents a pleasing look with deep cleaning. Solar panel cleaning in rainy season can have a better impact, but it can’t match the work quality of manual cleaning. - Cost-efficient
Rainwater cleaning is free of cost, but there is less possibility of deep cleaning. So, manual cleaning is a cost-efficient method that wipes away the entire dust and residue for a clean finish. There are few people who think about why homeowners should consider solar financing in India. The solar panel installation differs according to the location, quality, and usage. Therefore, installing solar panels is enough, but maintaining them right matters the most.
Why Doesn’t Rainwater Clean Solar Panels Well?
The solar panels are installed in houses, schools, offices, and many other bigger constructions. Let’s see why the rainwater is not sufficient to clean solar panels. The solar panel owners may wonder, do solar panels need cleaning after rain? Yes, rainwater is not enough to remove pollens, insects, dry leaves, dirt, etc.,
The methods for cleaning solar panels with rainwater vary based on the location. In industrial sectors, there is a high possibility of acid rain. Likewise, when rainwater evaporates, it leaves behind dust particles that depend on the location of the solar panel installation. Moreover, dust in the solar panel has a chance to merge with the rainwater that unfortunately produces heat.
Steps for an Effective Solar Panels Cleaning
People may be confused about how to clean solar panels effectively. Here is the essential guidance to make solar panels spotless, and let’s see how it works.
- Shut Down the Solar:
Turn off the solar panels before cleaning. Make sure water and electricity don’t contact or touch each other to avoid unnecessary incidents.
- Clean the Panels From the Ground:
Residents may think, how to clean solar panels from the ground at home? With the help of a brush, you can clean by yourself. Use the ladder to climb the roof. If nothing works out, call an expert for immediate service.
- Clean it with Water: You can clean the solar panel with the help of water. Ensure it is completely watered with the spray and clean it accordingly.
- Use Cleaning Agent: Use a cleaning solution and scrub it slowly without extra pressure. Wipe away all the residues with the help of a scrub, cleaning solution, and water.
- Clean the Panel and Make it Dry: Once done, make sure all the cleaning solutions are completely wiped off. Now let the solar panel dry with the help of sunlight.
Wrapping Up
Solar panels are a significant installation to save electricity in larger buildings. If you are a person who is planning to let the rainwater clean your solar panel, begin the change now and use manual or automated cleaning to produce efficient energy. Pave the way for a futuristic solar energy plant by keeping it efficient today.
Why risk it when you have Solar Journal Hub with powerful solar energy solutions? Solar Journal Hub is here with personalized advice and allows you to explore sustainability options. What are you still waiting for? Visit Solar Journal Hub and make the most out of your solar panels effortlessly!
The More You Need to Know About Solar Panel Cleaning
Improper maintenance of solar panels can lead to excessive dirt, lower energy efficiency, and make them appear old.
Non-scratchy solutions can be used, such as soap, water, vinegar, etc. This enhances the solar panels’ appeal to be spotless.
Yes, it is absolutely safe. You can switch off the solar panel before cleaning it and ensure you use a ladder to climb roofs for proper cleaning.
You can clean according to the dust that your solar panel contains. Basically, solar panel owners clean twice a year to provide a spotless panel surface.
Yes, heavy wind and rain lead to an accumulation of dirt, dry leaves, residues, and other debris on solar panels.
