Solar Panels Peterborough: How to Clean Your Solar Panels

DIY Cleaning Solar Panels

Cleaning your solar panels is a straightforward enough affair, provided you have the right equipment.

You’ll need the following to effectively clean your solar panels:

• A lightweight, soft-bristle brush or soft cloth with a long handle
• Biodegradable soap
• Water

If your solar panel isn’t that dirty, you likely won’t even need the soap – just water and a cloth or soft brush. Generally speaking, though, it’s worth getting hold of some biodegradable soap for a spotless finish – meaning you won’t have to clean the panels again so soon.

Mix the water and soap together and go to town, carefully wiping the solar panels until they’re gleaming once again. Don’t use abrasive or aggressive sponges or soaps, as you may damage the surface of the solar panels – not a cheap fix.

Likewise, avoid using a jet wash as that is likely to harm the surface too. Stick to gentle methods of cleaning – a good old bucket of soapy water will suffice.

You can purchase special solar panel cleaning implements with extra-long handles, allowing you to clean your solar panels from the ground. We highly recommend purchasing such a tool, as it’s so much safer than risking life and limb up on the roof of your home.

As you wet the solar panels, your roof tiles can become slippery too – a dangerous combination when you’re two storeys up.

How often will I need to clean my solar panels?

This is very much a ‘how long is a piece of string’-type question, unfortunately. The answer to it very much depends on the direction in which your house is facing and the volume of particulates in the air; if you live in a city with high levels of pollution, for example, this will tarnish your solar panels more quickly.

The best way to determine whether your solar panels need cleaning is to keep an eye on how much electricity they’re generating. If you notice a dip in their performance, it’s highly likely that they need a clean.