If you wish, you can clean your solar panels once a day during the spring, fall, and summer months. However, during the winter months, solar panels should be cleaned at least once a month due to the weather differences during this period.
While this is just a reference, there are other facts that can give you an idea of when is the right time to clean your solar panels. There are many factors that can reduce the power production of a solar PV system: shading, heat, and mismatch losses, to name a few. Fouling is another parameter to consider. Maintenance is the only solution to avoid fouling. That's why you need to know when and how to clean your solar panels.
What can cause fouling losses in solar panels?
The presence of a layer of dirt, mud, leaves, dust, snow, bird droppings, or a lot of rain can cause a solar panel to be less receptive to sunlight if these things are blocking a part of the solar panel. It also prevents it from effectively converting light into electricity. In very extreme cases, this can drastically reduce the conversion rate of a solar panel.
Dirty losses will depend on a variety of factors such as location, industrial and mining activities in the immediate area, rain, snow, dust, sandstorms, etc.
Areas around the world, like the Middle East require ongoing maintenance to compensate for losses due to dirt and dust storms.
As strange as it sounds, the United States is not immune to sandstorms. In fact, places as diverse as Arizona, Utah, and Colorado have experienced dust storms in the past few years. This is a very unfavorable environment for PV systems.
How do you know it's time to clean solar panels?
In addition, your solar panels are likely to accumulate some dust particles at any time. If time goes by, then the dust will accumulate further. Most solar panels are dark blue, so you will notice fairly easily when too much dust collects on parts of the solar panel!
Winter can be an annoying season for solar panels because snowfall can constantly leave snow on your roof or inside your solar roof shingles. If the few hours of sunlight that are available will be completely blocked by snow, then your solar panels will perform less well in the winter. This doesn't mean you have to go out on your roof every day to clean your PV array, because solar panels also get hot and can melt the snow themselves. That said, whenever you see intense snowfall outside, keep in mind that your solar panels may need a little help. During the winter months, it's ideal to check your solar panels installed outside your house at least once a month.
What’s the difference between solar panels?
How to maintain my vehicle’s battery? 5 essential tips every good driver knows!
Which solar powered charger suits your car battery the best??
How do I keep my car battery charged in the winter?
Solar DIY ideas. Here's what you never knew and what you need!
What are the bad effects of a car battery that often runs out of power?
How many watts of solar panel do I need to generate 40A per day for the boat?
How to choose the corresponding solar battery charger for 12v car battery?
What is solar controller? How to pair controller and solar panel?Solar DIY idea.
Does Jump Starter really work that well?
How to maintain a boat battery? A little tip saves you $1000!
Three Main Types of Solar Panels
Why Are Solar Car Battery Chargers Blue?
The Best Companion for Camping - Foldable Solar Panel Charger
Your Must-know Guide to Choose A Portable Solar Panel
The Importance of Car Maintenance
Your Must-know Common Car Accessory Features
You Must-know On How To Choose A Child Safety Seat
How To Choose A Phone Holder For Car?
How To Choose A Right Car Vacuum Cleaner?
You Must-know To Choose A Dash Cam
How To Choose A Preferred Car Perfume?
How To Choose A Car Head Up Display?
4 comments
Thanks for sharing this detailed blog about cleaning. I also offer cleaning services in California , if you want to know more about “Spring Cleaning Services” so you can also check out our website for more : https://www.aquasolarcleaners.com/
It’s important to be aware that winter can mean extra work in cleaning your solar unit because snowfall can always leave traces of snow on your solar roof shingles. I’m really intending to have a solar panel installation service visit my home as soon as possible, so hearing this is quite timely. Simply put, I think it’s about time I joined the green movement and began utilizing renewable energy. I appreciate the maintenance advice.
Thank you for explaining how it’s time to clean solar panels when there is noticeably too much dust on them. I’ve been wondering when I would know that we need to clean our solar panels. I’ll be sure to keep this in mind and have someone come clean it professionally so we can keep everything in working order. https://goldensolar.net/denver-co-solar-energy-panel-design-installation/
Thanks for sharing this interesting blog with us. I am also a solar paneI cleaner and running a solar panel cleaning company in California called “Aqua Solar Cleaners”. Here we offer residential & commercial solar panel cleaning services with Semi-Annual, Quarterly, monthly options. You can also check out our website for more : https://www.aquasolarcleaners.com/
We have also mentioned some interesting strategies. Thanks!