According to a recent study, over three million homes within Australia feature solar panels, with the numbers increasing steadily year on year. This is hardly surprising when you think about the many benefits tied to solar panel usage. After all, not only are you then able to save on energy bills, but you’re also playing a key role in protecting the planet for future generations.
However, regular maintenance is key when it comes to making sure they perform as desired, ensuring the longevity of this home investment. Despite this, many homeowners admit to never cleaning their solar panels!
Impact of Dirt and Debris on Solar Panels.
Your solar panels are continuously exposed to the elements and the great outdoors. This means that it is relatively easy for contaminants such as dirt, dust, pollen and bird droppings to accumulate on the surface of your solar panel. While this may seem to be nothing more than an aesthetic issue, this can quickly begin to impact your solar panel’s overall performance and efficiency. For example, the build-up of contaminants could potentially block sunlight from reaching the panels themselves, reducing energy output quite considerably.
Benefits of Regular Solar Panel Cleaning.
There are many benefits associated with regular solar panel cleaning.
Improved Energy Efficiency. The main reason why solar panel cleaning is so important is that cleaner panels can absorb more sunlight, as nothing is blocking the UV rays. This can improve the overall performance of your solar panels by providing you with a higher energy yield and increased energy efficiency.
Cost savings. Solar panels are relatively low maintenance, but regular cleaning can help prevent maintenance issues from developing, saving you a considerable amount of money in the long run. In addition to this, the more efficiently your solar panels run, the less you’ll spend on energy bills overall.
Extended Panel Lifespan. Generally speaking, solar panels have a lifespan of between 20-30 years. However, you can extend their longevity as much as possible through regular cleaning and maintenance, as this helps to prevent panel staining and degradation. This ensures that your solar panel system functions as effectively ten years from now as it did when you first had it installed.
Recommended Cleaning Frequency and techniques.
As a general rule, you should aim to clean your solar panels a few times a year. However, more consistent cleaning is required if you live in an area with a high dust or pollen count, such as Gympie, as they are some of the main culprits behind dirty or damaged dollar panels.
When taking a DIY approach to solar panel cleaning, you’ll be pleased to hear that the process is relatively simple. You simply need to wash away debris with a hose or soft-bristled brush. For more stubborn stains and build-ups, you may benefit from using specialist soaps and cleaning products, though generally speaking, a mild soap will do the trick. However, you should take precautions when cleaning your solar panels as you’ll be working at height, which can present its own risks.
You can reduce the chances of dealing with any complications while ensuring that your solar panels work better than ever by hiring a solar panel cleaner to do the (quite literal) dirty work for you!
DIY vs. Professional Cleaning.
DIY Cleaning.
Pros: There are many benefits tied to taking a DIY approach to solar panel cleaning. For example, if your panels are in good condition, it is relatively easy to keep them that way. It can also help you to save money.
Cons: Professional cleaners tend to get better results than the average DIY-er. Furthermore, you are unlikely to have access to the necessary specialist tools and equipment.
Professional Cleaning.
Pros: When working with a professional cleaning company, fantastic results are guaranteed due to their unique skills and expertise. This means that your solar panels will function effectively, no matter how many years it has been since they
were installed. They’ll also look better and cleaner than they have ever looked! It is also a much safer choice, as it will not require you to work from height.
Cons: Hiring a professional cleaner will come at an additional expense, though this is a worthwhile investment when you think about the many benefits tied to these services.
Solar panel cleaning is an essential maintenance task. After all, this ensures that your solar panels continue to perform at a high standard while also helping you save a considerable amount of money. As such, you should establish a regular cleaning schedule for your solar panels, taking your location into consideration when determining how frequent they should be.
If you aren’t sure where to begin with this task, the team at Integrity Solar are on hand to help! Get in touch today to find out more!