How & When to Clean Solar Panels: A Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking of cleaning your rooftop solar panels to make them work as well as the day they were installed? That’s right! Solar panels perform most optimally when they are clean. Dirt, dust, bird droppings, and other filth will accumulate on the surface over time. This lessens how effectively your solar panels can collect sunlight, which means less energy and fewer savings. In this guide, you will learn how to clean rooftop solar panels at home safely and effectively.

If you have recently transitioned to solar or have had panels installed for decades, this solar panel cleaning guide is ideal for keeping your system running properly.

Why Solar Panel Cleaning is Important

In reality, dirty panels can fall short by 15% to 25% of the amount they can make. When dust or dirt accumulates on your solar panels, it traps sunlight. It reduces the amount of solar energy your system produces. That is a staggering loss of savings.

Bird droppings are even worse. They adhere and dry, and the surface eventually becomes damaged unless removed. Many people believe rainwater is enough to clean solar panels but it rinse off only dust. That is why proper solar panel cleaning is necessary.

Cleaning solar panels ensures:

• More electricity production
• Longer panel life
• Increased return on investment
• Enhanced safety

When Do Solar Panels Need to be Cleaned?

Early morning or evening is the most appropriate solar panel cleaning time. At these times, panels are cold. Hence, it is easy to clean. Water would take a long time to evaporate, and this means that there will be no stains or marks.

Don’t wash when the weather is hot. Hot glass stresses or cracks when cold water is used. Also, it dries too rapidly and becomes marked. Wash them more frequently if you are in a dusty location or near trees. Clean your solar panels every 6 months, usually. But if you see less energy output or notice dirt accumulation, don’t wait.

Cleaning Equipment for Rooftop Solar Panels

Have the following tools for cleaning rooftop solar panels prepared before you start:

• A soft-bristled brush or sponge
• A bucket of water and mild, non-abrasive soap
• A garden hose with a soft spray
• A squeegee or microfiber cloth
• A ladder and safety equipment (if your panels are on a high roof)
• Optional: extension stick or long-handled brush

Key Tips:

• Avoid chemicals or hard cleaners
• Avoid high-pressure water sprays
• Do not use anything with metal parts that may scratch the panel.

Step-by-Step Cleaning of Rooftop Solar Panels

If you want to clean solar panels installed on your roof at home, and if you don’t know how to clean solar panels, go through this easy step-by-step guide to clean them.

1. Switch Off Your Solar System

Switch off the main switch of your solar power system first. This is for safety. Cleaning the system on is risky since water and electricity do not work well together.

2. Check The Panels

Give your panels a hasty minute examination. See if there is dust, bird droppings, leaves, or loose debris. If it is merely light dust, cleaning should suffice. If you have sticky residue or stains, you should clean more thoroughly.

3. Clean Off Loose Dirt And Leaves

Clean with a dry, soft brush or cloth to remove loose dust, cobwebs, and dead leaves. Pre-cleaning before rinsing with water prevents scratching of the glass surface.

4. Wash With Water

Spray clean water from a hosepipe across the panels. Do not use a high-pressure washer because it potentially damages the panels. A light wash of surface grime and cooling of the glass occurs.

5. Wash With Soapy Water

Mix mild dish soap in warm water in a bucket. Wash with a soft sponge or cloth. Don’t press too hard or scrub too hard. Soft circular motions will erase the stains without harming them.

6. Rinse With Plain Water Again

After you are done washing, rinse the panels with fresh water. This washes away any soap residue that hasn’t dried on the surface. Dried soap on glass objects reflects the sunlight and gives a lower energy output.

7. Gently Wash The Panels

Rinse off any excess water using a clean, soft microfiber cloth. This gets rid of water spots and streaks. If you can’t clean the spots that are far away, air-dry them.

8. Power On The System And Check The Output

Once all of this has dried, power on your system. Observe with your app or solar meter to see if there is improved performance. A clean panel tends to mean more energy output.

This step-by-step solar panel cleaning method is safe, simple, and effective. Getting your panels cleaned every few months or after a dust storm will put your solar system at its highest capacity.

Home Tips for Cleaning Rooftop Solar Panels

Cleaning solar panels at home is easy if you do it properly. The following are some simple tips:

Don’t clean the panels when the roof is slippery or wet.

• Protective equipment such as gloves and traction shoes should be worn.
• Don’t even try if the roof is steep or the panels are difficult to access. Hire a professional
• Always use clean, soft water. Hard water leaves spots.
• Clean during a cloudy day or morning.
• Do not step on panels. It will shatter them.

DIY Rooftop Solar Panel Cleaning in India

Solar panel cleaning India is particularly crucial against high pollution and dust. Monsoons naturally clean panels, but dry seasons (particularly summer) need DIY cleaning.

DIY solar cleaning of solar panels is inexpensive. It can be carried out every few months using simple tools. You can even purchase solar cleaning kits online, specifically designed for solar panel cleaning. For large installations, hire professionals to complete the cleaning once a year.

Certain Indian solar companies even provide automated solar cleaning systems for big rooftops or commercial setups. These systems minimise the effort involved in manual solar panel cleaning and save time.

Will You Damage Your Rooftop Solar Panels While Cleaning?

Yes, if you do it the wrong way. This is how you clean rooftop solar panels without damaging them:

• Don’t use abrasive sponges or scrubbers
• Don’t step on or sit on them
• Don’t use vinegar or other strong chemicals
• Don’t pour cold water on hot panels

Rooftop Solar panels contain a special coating on the glass that traps sunlight. Scratching the coating or using harmful chemicals can ruin the coating. So handle them carefully.

How Frequently Should You Clean Your Panels?

There is no firm rule, but here is a simple frequency guide for cleaning rooftop solar panels: