Benefits Of Cleaning Solar Panels

Cleaning solar panels are similar to cleaning typical windows and research indicates that frequent cleaning boosts its overall efficiency.

Benefits of cleaning solar panels.

Solar panels that are not regularly and properly cleaned will lose up to 80 of their effectiveness. It s a good idea to keep track of your energy output before and after a cleaning because that alone can be enough motivation to get your panels cleaned. A test done by one company found the amount the efficiency is lowered is minute maybe 5 per cent or less. There are reasons why cleaning solar panels is extremely beneficial for someone who owns a system.

Benefits of cleaning solar panels. If the cells aren t clean then less sunlight is able to be absorbed and less electricity is generated. The potential energy loss depends on the level of filth your solar panels have accumulated. When sunlight hits a solar cell it excites the electrons in the semiconductor material and it s this energy that can be captured as electricity.

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. Dirty solar panels are less efficient than clean ones dust bird droppings and leaves hinder the solar panels to operate at maximum efficiency. Some manufacturers and solar panel users report a jump in efficiency of 30 percent or more after a cleaning. Solar panel cleaning is a great chance to check your panels over and make sure they are in good condition.

Your solar panels need to be exposed to sunlight in order to produce power. Finally cleaning your solar cells extends their life. Regular washing removes the dirt on the solar panels that diminish the maximum collection of sunlight. Another company found that a thorough clean made the panels 3 5 per cent more efficient.

And with a typical 5 kw system this might equate to about 20 of loss in your energy bill.