Yash
Cleaning the solar panels is a regular yet easy task.
No doubt, the solar panels are the most important part of any solar power system.
They absorb the sunlight and convert it into electricity. This electric current (with the help of a solar inverter) makes our electrical appliances run.
But to make them do this absorption efficiently we need to take care of them by cleaning them regularly.
(Solar panels require very little maintenance).
Let us understand the right ways of cleaning the solar panels.
Best time to clean the solar panels
Every time of the day is not the right time for cleaning.
It is always preferable to do this task early in the morning or the evening (during the sunset).
Why?
(a) Because other times in the day, we see the sun in the sky. This means the solar panels are working and producing current. There is a risk of electrocution while cleaning when they are ON.
(Although we turn off the solar panels while cleaning them. But it is always a better idea to do this task on a day when they are not working naturally).
Early morning and in the evening the solar panels are not working or producing very little current.
Therefore, these two times of the day are ideal for solar panel cleaning.
Therefore, the best time for cleaning the solar panels is early morning and evening.
(b) The solar panels are cooler in the early morning and evening than at other times of the day. And there is hardly any temperature difference between the normal water and their surface. Therefore, cleaning their surface with normal water does not make any expansion or contraction in their glasses. This reduces the chances of cracks while washing them with water on these two occasions.
Equipment and material required
The basic materials and equipment are needed while cleaning the solar panels.
However, the type of materials needed depends on:
(a) Size of the solar power system
The bigger size system requires a more sophisticated system than the smaller one.
(b) Solar Panels place on the roof
If the solar panels are installed in the middle of the roof. There is a space from all sides for a person to stand and clean the solar panels.
However, if the solar panels are installed on the edge of the roof where any one, two, or more sides are away from the roof.
Then it becomes difficult to clean them and we need more security equipment to clean them.
The slope of the roof (flat or slanted). It is often difficult to clean the solar panels installed on a slated roof. There is always a chance of slipping while cleaning the solar panels installed on a slopy roof.
Height of the solar panels from the roof
The solar panels’ height above the roof also affects their cleaning process.
The cleaning of higher solar panels often requires a strong ladder in addition to other requisites materials and equipment.
Material Required
The following materials are needed in general for cleaning the solar panels:
- Mild Detergent. Adding detergent to the water is a good idea to wash away the difficult stains and debris sticking to the solar panels.
- Rope
- Suction cups for knee and arms (In case, it is required to clean the solar panels while climbing on them. The suction cups hold the person with the solar panel through the vacuum mechanism).
- Ladder
- Safety helmets
- Use high-quality gumboots and gloves to avoid any electrical hazards while cleaning the solar panels.
- Gloves
- Wiper
Switch off the solar panels before cleaning
It is possible to get electrocuted if one does not follow the proper methods. Turning off the solar power system before cleaning is a safety measure.
Cleaning the solar panels with water can wet the electrical connections. That can make the current flow on the solar panel surface, leading to electrical hazards. Therefore, it is a good idea to turn off the solar panels before cleaning.
Also, never touch or pour water underside of the solar panels. Because all the electrical connections are made under the solar panels. This could be an electrical hazard. Therefore, even after turning off the solar panels, it is advised not to touch or throw water underside the solar panels.
Other important precautions while cleaning the solar panels
- Keep some distance between you and the solar panels when you are cleaning the solar panels while standing on the roof.
- Use gloves and wear high-quality rubber shoes to avoid any electrical hazards.
- Never touch the solar panels.
- Use wipers to wash away the dirt with pressure that is far away from your reach.
- Always wear a helmet and use suction cups for climbing the solar panels for cleaning.
- Use a rope to tether the body while cleaning the solar panels in a slopy roof.
The solar panels cleaning technique
Keep the water tap near the solar panels
It is always a good idea to keep the water tap fitting near the solar panels to maintain the water pressure and reduce the pipe cost.
Get your tap connected to the submersible pump instead of the water tank
The water pressure is directly proportional to the height difference between the water tank and the place where you need water.
The solar panels and the water tanks are installed on the roof of the house. There is little height difference between the two. Hence if you get your tap connected with the water tank, the water pressure will not be enough to wash the solar panels properly.
Instead, get the water tap connected with the submersible pump. When you switch on the pump, it withdraws water from the ground and sends it with pressure to the water tap. Now, you can clean the dust, dirt, and hard debris with water pressure.
Washing from Top to Bottom
The solar panels are given a tilt to the ground. This tilt depends on the latitude of the location.
Due to this, the solar panels are installed in a slanted way with the ground.
The highest point of the solar panels is the top and the lowest point is the bottom of the solar panels.
Wash them from top to bottom so that the water flows downwards due to the slope and the gravitational pull of the earth, washing the other solar panels along the side.
Making the maximum range of water
Do you know if you want the water to reach the maximum distance you need to keep the pipe nozzle at a certain angle with the ground?
The water reaches its maximum horizontal range when the pipe nozzle is kept at 45° with the ground. Hence in this way, you can clean the dirt and dust deposited far away on the solar panels while standing in one place on the roof.
Rainwater is a natural cleaner
During monsoons, the rainwater often cleans the solar panels.
Make sure to remain away from the solar panels during the rains.
Heavy rainfall does 90% of homework and almost cleans the solar panels, removing all the dust, debris, and droppings. If the rain is not heavy then it is difficult to wash away the hard debris. Then you need to complete the rest of the work.
How often should I clean my solar panels?
The cleaning frequency depends on factors such as climate, season, and the location of the solar panels.
A region with high wind velocity often carries dust with itself. This dust deposits and makes a layer on the solar panels’ surface. Therefore, these regions require more cleaning than the ones in the slow-wind regions.
The trees shed their leaves during Autumn. These leaves flow away with the wind and often fall on the solar panel surface. This is a season when you need more cleaning than the average to keep your panels in good condition.
In Winter, the wind speed is slow. Whatever dust is deposited on the solar panels’ surface remains there. Because the wind speed is not enough to take the dust away from the solar panels. In addition, the cold weather makes water droplets from the air fall on the solar panels. This water content is not enough to wash away the dust. Instead, it causes more dust to stick to the solar panels.
Therefore, winter is a time when you need to clean your solar panels often.
Water is a natural performance booster
Do you know the performance of solar panels reduces with the rise in their cell temperature?
Water has a high specific heat capacity.
It means that it can absorb more heat from the solar panels than the other liquids.
Cleaning your solar panels with water cools them off. Hence, it improves the performance of the solar panels.
Plants under the solar panels keeps solar panels cool
Putting the plants under the solar panels keeps their temperature under control and improves their performance.
The process of transpiration creates water vapor that surrounds the nearby atmosphere and lowers the temperature.
And solar panels produce more current in cooler conditions.
Conclusion
Regularly cleaning the solar panels is a good practice. It keeps them in good shape and improves their performance.
You save more and with time which improves the financial feasibility of the solar power system.
The right cleaning of solar panels depends on the climate, roof type (flat or slopy), the height of the solar panels from the roof, and solar panel installation location on the roof (edge or in the center).
Always take necessary safety measures and precautions while cleaning the solar panels to avoid any mishaps.
Keeping the mentioned points in mind will make your task safer, easier, and faster.
Let me know your way of cleaning the solar panels in the comment section below.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes. Kindly take the professional service while cleaning your solar panels. The risk of electrical hazards and physical injury is associated with it.
