A solar panel is made up of solar cells that are covered by a coating of protective glass. The longer you keep the solar panels exposed to the environment, the dirtier they will get as in the case of the windshields of your car. Cleaning is essential to make sure that the solar panels function at their best. The cleaning process for solar panels is similar to that of windshield cleaning but it is best left to professional cleaners.
Cleaning Solar Panels
There are a couple of ways you can check the condition of these panels. You can inspect them on a regular basis and the frequency of checks will depend on the location and on the specifications provided by the manufacturer. Areas that are generally dusty would require more frequent inspections. It is advisable to use a monitoring service to ensure you are getting the optimum performance out of the solar panels. If you have a service provider to maintain your PV system at a flat monthly fee, it would be in your best interests to sign up.
When you clean solar panels on your own, you will have to rely on warm water or dish washing detergent to remove the grime, residue and dirt. To clean them, we recommend using a squeegee with a sponge or brush on the opposite ride. You can also use a Water-fed Pole System which makes the job a heck of a lot easier. The glass surface and the frame of the panels are whats needed to be kept clean. Keep in mind, manual cleaning has many risks attached to it. People who do not have professional experience may also risk personal injury and may not be comfortable on the roof or on the ladders. You have to note that this is an electrical system that you would be cleaning. It is always better to leave the cleaning of solar panels to professional monitoring service providers, but if you must, you can do it yourself.
Why do you need to clean the solar panels on a regular basis?
Bird droppings, dust from the traffic, leaves from the trees and environmental pollution contribute to loss of electricity as solar panels become dirty. Dirt also prevents sunlight from penetrating the solar cells in the panels. The amount of electricity produced will be lower if there is more dirt on the solar panels. Though there may be several factors that have an effect on the electricity generated by the solar panels, dirt and grime will be one of the biggest culprits.
Solar panels function by taking in light into their solar cells. If a panel is hit by more light, it will generate more power. As the angle of these panels is usually upward, they are prone to a buildup of dirt and dust and bird droppings. This cannot get washed by rain water. Consequently, dirt reduces the amount of light that is received by the panels, reducing their output. The energy figures that have been projected by the manufacturers of solar panels are based on performance that is optimum. This is possible when the panels are kept clean all the time. Buildup of dust could seriously affect the ability of the panels to fulfill those projections.
A solar array is composed of various solar modules that are wired together and every module is made up of cells that are collectively mounted in one frame. Solar cells are made out of semi-conductor material like silicon. One side of this cell is positive and the other is negative. When these solar cells are hit by sunlight, it will trigger the electrons and the silicon. This energy is captured and translated into electricity. When the solar cells are dirty, the amount of sunlight that is absorbed generates lesser electricity. Energy loss could be measured based on the level of dirt that is accumulated on the solar panels. This loss could go up to almost twenty five per cent for people who neglect their solar panel system.
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