Everything You Need to Know About Solar Panel Cleaning

Regularly cleaning solar panels is one assured way of improving the efficiency of the solar system, which means you get more out of your solar panel. On top of that, you also save a dime with the reduced cost of operation and maintenance of the solar panels. 

You can even get up there yourself with a mop and clean the panels. On a larger scale, you can use some more advanced cleaning methods like the solar cleaning robot.

What You Need to Clean

Solar panels are usually installed on rooftops so most of the threat is from above in the form of:

Dirt and Dust

Dirt is public enemy number one for solar systems. This is especially cumbersome in dustier areas, which means you will need regular frequent cleaning – the supply is endless after all. This need for special attention and frequent cleaning on a large-scale solar plant would be served better by energy independent cleaning robots. 

If your solar project is not in such dusty areas, it is possible that wind or a gush or rainwater can effectively clean the solar panels for you. If it’s in a household, you can clean it yourself. This way, you even achieve greener solar cleaning.

Bird Droppings

Bird droppings are a common occurrence, with birds’ inclination to hang out on roofs or perform fly-bys. They are a lot more notorious than dust because they tend to harden and stick on the solar panels. 

The accumulation of the bird droppings can significantly block light from the sun. Trying to remove these accumulated droppings with just water splashing proves a futile effort more often than not.

Water

Both humans and solar cleaning robots use water to clean water panels so water appearing as a deterrent may seem a tad strange so here is how it works. 

The problem comes in when rainwater pools on horizontal solar arrays. This effectively reduces your solar energy generation. On top of that, if the surface is dusty, a nice patch of mud will be left behind when the water evaporates. This will necessitate more frequent cleaning.

Ways to Clean Solar Panels

Vibration

Vibration is one of the best greener solar cleaning solutions. It involves no harmful chemicals on the surface of your panel or water for that matter. All it requires is an industrial vibrator so it’s relatively easy. 

The industrial vibrator placed on the surface of the solar panel uses high frequency vibrations to break down dirt on the surface of the panel. This of course is without harming or damaging any of the internal or external components.

Manual Cleaning Work

If you are a homeowner and have been using a solar panel, you probably are already an expert at this. If not, the tools of trade include a garden hose, sponges, elbow grease and of course water. With small scale use, it is the cheapest, even cheaper than energy independent cleaning robots. If it’s your first time, here is how you do it:

• Unscrew the solar panels if they are screwed in. For plastic caps, just take them off.

• Put on the gloves and get scrubbing. Choice of sponge is not as important provided the sponge doesn’t break apart. What to keep in mind is that the sponge shouldn’t have many holes lest water gets trapped inside which, eventually ruins your panels.

• If you are satisfied with your work, rinse them off until they are completely dry. Water can be the enemy so standing water is a no no after you are done cleaning.

Solar Cleaning Robots

These gizmos are autonomous and are specifically programmed to clean solar panels. It is worth mentioning that of all the methods of cleaning solar panels, this indeed is the most efficient. 

Robots have robot arms that they use to remove any dirt or debris lodged on or inside the solar panel. Some of these areas are hard to reach by hand and pose the risk of scratches, cuts and lacerations. 

The robots have algorithms that shape out the roof beforehand to make the process a lot more efficient and less time-consuming. These robots come with their very own waste bins at the top. These bins are usually used to hold the debris. The bins are filled with water, sand or ice so the debris doesn’t float away.