Rinsing Solar Panels

Rain will rinse the larger debris off however we found that the 1 way to maximize the solar energy produced is by cleaning the panels.

Rinsing solar panels.

Grime and bird poop doesn t need to cover an entire panel to have an effect. Installing solar panels helps you take advantage of the sun s energy and make the most of the clean energy options. The panels work by collecting the rays of the sun and converting them into energy. When it comes down to solar panel cleaning though a visual inspection a rainwater bath and you staying on the ground instead of climbing up a ladder may be all the solar doctor needs to order.

However unless you live somewhere with high amounts of smog dust dirt or sand blowing around solar panel cleaning is generally not necessary in most cases occasional rain will be enough to naturally and safely keep your solar panels clean and free of debris that could lower production. Of course you sometimes get dirty rainstorms or blowing dust that will stick to your windshield leaving it dingier than it was before the. Solar panels that were cleaned professionally had a 12 higher output of electricity compared to those cleaned by rain. That s because the droppings essentially block all sunlight and will not be washed away when it rains.

But solar panels heavily soiled with bird droppings should be cleaned. This water is free from salts and calcium that otherwise leave little ugly white spots on your panels when dried. Use a soft cloth or sponge and wipe them down with the soap solution and then rinse them with the hose. This is where cleaning solar panels may have to be done.

641 s street nw washington dc 20001. Solar panels are generally self cleaning but in particularly dry areas or where panel tilt is minimal dust and other substances such as bird droppings can build up over time and impact on the amount electricity generated by a module. Cleaning solar panels that had been in operation for 15 months doubled their output of electricity. Engineers also found that at a few sites photovoltaic panels were dirty enough to warrant cleaning due to very specific and localized circumstances.

Sunbridge solar s system is a low tilt 10 degrees and it s overall power reduction due to the 2017 eagle creek forest fire ash resulted in a 53 reduction. A 501 c 3 non profit organization. To avoid getting limescale buildup on your solar system you could rinse the panels with deionized water when you are done washing them. These spots are not dangerous and will only remain there until next time it rains.