Do I Need to Clean or Otherwise Care for My Solar Panels?
You finally made the decision to get solar panels for your home, and you have gotten them all installed on the roof. Now you can kick back and just forget about them, right? Or can you? Do those solar panels require maintenance? Do they need to be cleaned or otherwise cared for in order to do their job?
Since you probably didn’t think about this before you decided to have solar panels installed, you will be happy to learn that in fact, your solar panels require very little maintenance. They are usually made from anodized aluminum, so they do not attract dust and do not rust. They are fixed in place, so they do not require any lubricant and are unlikely to shift in any way.
That being said, there are some situations where you may want to clean your solar panels. Here is what you need to know about caring for your solar panels.
When Do I Clean My Solar Panels?
There are two situations where you may want to clean your solar panels. The first is if you have gone several years without cleaning them. It’s a good idea to give them (and probably your whole roof) a quick cleaning every three or four years just to make sure no dirt or debris have collected that may interfere with the panels working optimally.
The other situation has to do with when you know debris has collected on your panels. For example, there has been a heavy snowfall, a storm has blown stray tree branches onto your roof, or a flock of birds has decided to answer the call of nature on your solar panels.
How Do I Clean My Solar Panels?
The good news is that when you do decide to clean your solar panels, it will be extremely easy. A quick rinse with a hose will do the trick. Use lukewarm water, as spraying hot water on cold panels could damage them. You can also use a leaf blower to blow away any unwanted debris on your solar panels.
If you have snow on your panels, it will probably fall off by itself if they are on an angled roof. If they are flat, you may need to use one of the above methods or a pole with a squeegee on the end to get rid of it.
The critical thing to remember is that you do not want to scratch your solar panels, so you never want to put any kind of abrasive substance or chemical on them. Leaving them alone or cleaning with light water or air will do the trick.
Where Do I Get My Solar Panels?
The truth is, if you are in an area that rains frequently, you will probably never have to clean your solar panels, especially if they are on a slanted roof where debris can fall off. Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to inspect them from time to time to make sure and give them a quick hit with the hose or leaf blower when necessary.
If you haven’t gotten your solar panels installed yet and you’re looking for a quality installer, you can start by finding out how much you can save with solar here right now.