How To Clean Solar Panels

We here at DIY Clean Energy understand that you probably didn't think about having to clean your solar panels when you first got them - no problem, our guide here explains the basics in a 10-point easy to follow guide. If you click the button below - it will take you to some products we recommend for cleaning solar panels.

"A quick cleaning can not only improve productivity of your solar power -- but can also extend the life of the panels."

When and how should I clean my solar panels?

Keeping your solar panels clean are a must whenever possible. Efficient solar panels produce more power when they're clean, that's clear. When solar panels are free from debris, they absorb more light that will, in turn, create more energy. Dust, dirt, bird droppings, bugs or any other debris can settle on the surface of solar panels over the time. Build up over the surface area reduces the amount sun's energy that the panels can absorb and with that, converts it into energy. Research claims that dirty panels in some cases loose up to 25% of their overall efficiency, which in turn will influence your energy savings big time and can put a damper on your return on investment.

Furthermore, factors outside your control around your solar panels can intensify this problem: for example, panels in close proximity to thruways, factories or other industrial areas, as well as homes in places with a high concentration of dust storms, could have their output compromised more quickly. In fact, in less-extreme environments, any natural phenomenon, such as blooming season when pollen blankets everything and fall when leaves turn dirty red and brown, could increase the likelihood that your panels could become dirty. Thus, first thing to know about how to keep your panels clean is that it matters. The second thing is that what matters most about the panels and the building they occupy lies in your location and its environment.

A quick cleaning can not only improve productivity of your solar power -- but can also extend the life of the panels. Even slight marks or build-up that stays on the panels for extended periods can lead to permanent stains or serious damage that can cost you more in repairs or replacements that could have been avoided through regular maintenance. So, rest assured your panels are producing as much energy as possible to keep you saving money and reducing your carbon footprint by ensuring they are kept clean

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These recommendations are likely to differ from one solar panel manufacturer to another, but almost invariably they will provide detailed information on what types of cleaning agents to use, how often to clean and by what means (e.g, how frequently to hire someone for manual work, what to wipe the row with, etc.). This is important because using cleaning agents when not recommended can damage the panels, reduce efficiency and, indeed, void the warranty.

Some might prohibit harsher chemicals or abrasive materials that can damage the surface of the panels or recommend types of water (such as deionized or distilled water) that will not deposit minerals that might affect performance. There might be a stipulation that the panels are cleaned at certain times of day or under certain weather conditions, to avoid thermal stress or other problems.

3. Prioritize Safety

It goes without saying that you should never clean your solar panels without putting safety first. Part of the reason for this is that they are likely to be mounted on a roof top or another high location, where a lack of caution could lead to serious injuries. With this in mind, here are some points to consider when cleaning your solar panels:

1. Use Proper Equipment:

Make sure you have a sturdy and dependable ladder that extends safely to the panels. If you have panels installed on a pitched roof, you should consider wearing a harness and hanging ropes to reduce the risk of falls. You should also try to make sure that your equipment is safe and usable.

2. Weather Conditions:

Avoid going out when the weather is really bad. Panel surfaces can be slippery when wet or icy – and high winds up on the roof can increase the chance of a nasty accident occurring. Pick a calm clear day.

3. Electrical Safety:

Keep in mind that solar panels are electrical devices, too, so remember to avoid all contact with the electrical parts – use only tools with compatible insulated handles, and stay clear of wiring and connectors. If you spot any exposed wires, it’s time to call in the professionals.

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Wearing such PPE as gloves, non-slip shoes or safety glasses should give you extra protection. Gloves protect your hands from corrosive materials as well as rough building surfaces and cleaning chemicals. Similarly, non-slip shoes reduced your chances of slipping.

5. Secure the Area:

For ground-mounted panels or panels mounted in open accessible spaces, you need to rope off the area so you don’t have others walking into your work zone and, even worse, run the risk of pushing into your setup.

6. Use Caution with Water:

If you're using water to clean them, take care not to spill it on things below. Water can create slippery areas on a rooftop, so work slowly and avoid puddling water. Also, don’t allow water to get into electrical equipment.

7. Know Your Limits:

If you’re not comfortable with heights or not clear on what the safe procedures are, best to leave it to the pros. Unlike you, a professional cleaner is trained in how to work safely and knows the risks involved in handling and cleaning solar panels, and has equipment to be able to do so.

This will give you peace of mind and guarantee an accident-free cleaning, as you’ll be acting in strict accordance with safety procedures. Investing a bit of time in preparing for these procedures will protect you, as well as guarantee that your solar panels will continue to function at their full potential without damage or injury.

2. Review Manufacturer’s Guidelines

1. Recognize the Impact of Clean Panels

4. Choose the Optimal Time for Cleaning

It’s important to choose the right time of day to clean your solar panels, not just to reduce risk to yourself, but also to make sure you’re doing a good job. If possible, choose an early morning or late-day window of opportunity, when the panels are coolest. Midday is the opposite of an ideal time. Panels get buffeted by strong winds and baking hot in the sun, making them difficult to clean, both practically and safely. Hot glass absorbs water too quickly, creating streaks as the water evaporates and leftover mineral deposits left behind, not to mention potential burns.

Don’t directly expose your panels to the sun while cleaning; the water could dry too quickly, leaving a residue that leads to spots or streaks. At the very least, there should be chances to check the panelling for residue when the sun is not as intense, ie, reaching lower in the sky.

Weather is a factor too. Check the forecast and don’t clean on very windy days, lest the dust and debris that comes off the panels blows right back, rendering your labours useless. Avoid cleaning in the rain, because wet surfaces are slippery and unsafe.

Create a maintenance schedule aligned with the seasons and weather patterns where you live. For example, if your region experiences frequent dust storms or high pollen counts, you may need to clean more frequently. Conversely, if you live somewhere that receives periodic rainfall, which can wash your panels for you, you may need to clean less frequently. You might also need to be cleaning your solar panels more frequently during certain seasons, like in spring if the abundance of pollen settles on your panels or in autumn if falling leaves start to accumulate.

This was not only to improve the result but also to make it easier, especially by reducing the risk from falling. Timing is also important for the correct maintenance of a solar power plant.

5. Use Appropriate Cleaning Tools and Water

By selecting the proper tools and appropriate water for cleaning your solar panels, you’re less likely to damage them and will considerably improve their cleanliness. I highly recommend using only soft brushes, squeegees, or sponges as cleaners for your solar panels because these options won’t scratch anything. Anything remotely abrasive will most likely cause damage such as scratching to the glass surface, which will greatly hinder the ability of each solar panel to be more effective in gathering energy.

The best choice for water is clean, deionised, or distilled water. Tap water often contains minerals that leave mineral deposits on the panels once they dry, possibly reducing efficiency. Deionised or distilled water helps avoid these mineral deposits and leaves a streak-free finish.

Where grime or bird poop is a problem, a mild non-abrasive detergent should suffice. Try to steer clear of harsh chemicals or abrasives, both of which will mar the panels and likely result in a voided warranty. For the most part, a mix of water and a mild soap will eliminate the majority of grime and debris.

Once the panels have been thoroughly scrubbed, rinse them with a hose, making sure you really remove all the soap residue, but don’t blast them with a high-pressure nozzle – it won’t hurt the panels, but it is likely to foul up their mounting systems. Don’t use a high-pressure washer on your panels.

Using the right cleaning equipment and water, you can clean your solar panels without damaging them, and they will give you efficient and good performance for many years.

6. Thoroughly Rinse the Panels

Once you’ve wiped down your solar panels it’s important to give them a good rinse to get the soap and ammonia residue off. The goal is to leave them clean and streak-free. Start by gently rinsing with a low-pressure hose, since high-pressure water can damage the panels or their mounting systems.

Rinsing with deionised or distilled water is best; if this isn’t available, a clean tap water can be used, but rinse thoroughly so any minerals left by clean tap water form as few deposits as possible.

Make sure you do so from the top of the panel downwards, which will make sure you wash the dirt and soap off without it settling back on the panel. Do not use hose sprays, pressure washers or anything that will force the water under the panelling, potentially damaging it.

Finally, it removes any traces of cleaning agent, leaving your panels sparkling clean and ready to operate at their utmost efficiency. Rinsing is the key third step in cleaning your solar panels that ensures their longevity and ensures they work at full capacity for years to come.

7. Dry Carefully

And even though drying your solar panels might not be critical all the time, it can help avoid the water spots you don’t want to see on your shiny new solar modules – especially if you live in a hard-water area. If your solar panels constantly get wet but don’t dry quickly, those minerals might actually stick to the surface of the panels, reducing efficiency one mineral grain at a time.

Rinse again, and then use a soft, dry, lint-free towel or squeegee to remove excess water before it can dry on the panels to leave streaks and spots. Make sure you do not use a cloth or squeegee that leaves a scratch in the panels because the glass in the ENFIRE panels is particularly vulnerable.

If you choose to let them air-dry, do so in a cool, shaded place so they don’t yellow from rapid evaporation in the sun. Don’t let the panels dry on windy days, or else the grime from the air will leap at them once again.

Use these careful drying methods to avoid water spots that will reduce the input of light to your system, and to avoid dust and grime that will degrade its efficiency. This is just one aspect of making your panels as effective and long-lived as possible.

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26ft Brush

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Pressure Washers as shown are Great for Larger Complex Projects.

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8. Conduct Regular Inspections

Regular inspections of your solar panels are essential for maintaining their efficiency and longevity. During cleaning, take the time to closely examine the panels for any signs of damage or wear. Look for physical damage such as cracks, chips, or scratches, as even minor imperfections can impact the panel's ability to absorb sunlight efficiently. Ensure the panels are securely mounted, with no loose or damaged wires, to prevent safety risks and maintain optimal energy production.

Pay attention to debris accumulation around the edges and corners of the panels, as dirt, leaves, and other debris can build up and hinder performance. In areas with high humidity or near the coast, inspect metal components for signs of rust or corrosion, which can weaken the structural integrity of the panels and mounting system.

Monitor for any new shading issues caused by growing trees or newly constructed buildings, as shadows can significantly reduce the efficiency of your solar array. Additionally, review your solar monitoring system to check for any noticeable drops in energy output, which may indicate the need for a more thorough inspection or cleaning.

By conducting regular inspections, you can identify and address potential issues early, ensuring that your solar panels remain in top condition and continue to perform efficiently. This proactive approach helps extend the lifespan of your panels and maximizes your investment in solar energy.

9. Consider Professional Cleaning for Challenging Situations

Although regular day-to-day cleaning and routine checks of your solar paneling can easily be undertaken by you as a homeowner, sometimes there are situations that require intense focus and specialist attention, and for these occasions, professional cleaning services can be helpful in maximizing your solar panels and therefore your house’s ability to operate at peak performance, with a reduced lifetime cost of ownership.​ As well as having the right specialist tools to tackle challenging cleaning scenes, professional cleaners also bring the expertise required to do the job at hand safely and effectively.

Professional services are even more necessary for panels that have been installed on difficult rooftops, such as those which are high or sloped, since they have the proper safety gear and experience to clean them without risking damage or injury (or death). These services have access to professional-grade cleaning equipment, such as high pressure water systems, scrubbers, and mounts for results that are not possible with standard household tools, as well as having access to professional cleaners and solutions specific to solar panels, guaranteeing a good clean but without changing the panels in any way other than making them shine brightly.

It is deeper than traditional cleaning and deals with heavier grime and stains, such as those from bird droppings or thick dirt and muck that have built up over several years. Some panels can also show algae or moss growth, which you’ll need special chemicals for when doing the cleaning, or mold that has created an almost furry casing for the grime. If you live in a humid climate, mold is a certainty.

Moreover, solar professionals cover your solar panels and systems, including centrifugal inspections of the mounting hardware, which could potentially catch failures before they happen. Loose connections, cracks or signs of corrosion might otherwise lead to costly repairs and equipment failures – and professional inspections and cleanings can help you avoid all of that. If you have questions about solar, its technology and your home-energy goals, we’d be glad to talk. In the meantime, we welcome you to share your thoughts and experiences below.

This will also save you the time and trouble from having to do it yourself, so you can get on with more important things knowing that your solar panels are functioning at maximum efficiency. An investment in periodic professional cleaning and inspection of your solar panels could be a wise step as it might mean that you get many more years of solar power at the highest possible efficiency from your solar PV system.

10. Take me to your most recommended cleaning product.