Every major solar panel manufacturer recommends solar electric system owners to wash their solar panels as needed to harvest maximum power. Soiling is a term used to describe particle build up on solar panels which includes dust, dirt, bird poop and other debris that solar panels encounter in the outdoors.
Research conducted by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) suggests that solar panel power output can decrease up to 10% from the accumulation of dirt. Efficiencies of solar panels can drop up to 20% in areas where bird poop, air pollution or dust from farming operations are common.
Cleaning your solar panels is easy!
Since solar electric systems are solid state technology, meaning there are no moving parts in the system, the only maintenance that's required is cleaning the solar panels. You can simply use soap and water to clean your solar panels although many people prefer PowerBoost, a biodegradable solar panel cleaning solution that connects to any garden hose and provides added benefits that household soap does not offer.
With PowerBoost you'll be cleaning your solar panels less frequently through out the year since it adds a protective layer on the solar panels that prevents the future accumulation of debris.
Rinse first, then soap
Cleaning solar panels is like washing your car, you have to first rinse the solar panels using a garden hose with a pressure nozzle. The objective would be to loosen up the debris before you apply PowerBoost. After your rinse with water flip the switch on the PowerBoost and the special formulated PowerBoost cleaning solution will be sprayed onto the solar array.
Let PowerBoost do it's magic
After PowerBoost solar panel cleaning solution has been applied to the solar panels, let the solution sit on the solar panels for a few minutes. For best results I would recommend putting some elbow grease into the job by using a brush with a long handle to scrub down the solar panels before rinsing off the PowerBoost cleaning solution.
So fresh, so clean
By the end of the process your solar panels should look this clean. There should be no particle build up left on the solar panels, maximum sunlight will now be able to penetrate into the solar cells thus providing you maximum energy harvest yields. Now we have our solar panels installed on a ground mounted system which makes it easier to clean our solar panels. Many times solar panels are installed on top of roofs which can make it a little more challenging to clean.
What do you think about the maintenance related with a solar electric system?
