Solar Panel Cleaning
- Solar panels need to be cleaned every year as a minimum
- Cleaning your solar panels will keep them working at maximum efficiency
- Cleaning is more often a condition of your warranty
Why clean your solar panel?
Solar panels are affected by the Great British weather, they’ll end up defaced and blighted by leaves, dust, pollen, and other particulate matter – not to mention bird droppings Even the latest modern panels on the market won’t be able to power your home efficiently with bird droppings and debris over them.
That’s because dust and other debris prevent your panels from receiving as much direct sunlight. In fact, dust and particulate matter can reduce a solar array’s production by as much as 25% according to American Chemical Society.
For example, if you haven’t driven your car for a couple of weeks on your return the windscreen is covered by a dusty film, so we immediately use our windscreen wipers to remove the dirt and bird dropping. Solar panel are no different.
The Warranty of your Panels
Solar panel manufacturers and the installation companies have made solar panel cleaning a compulsory as a condition of their warranty. Just to be warned if you have problems with your solar panel output, if you do not have evidence of regular solar panel cleaning by reputable company your solar panels may not be covered by the warranty.
How do we clean and maintain solar panels.
Panels are cleaned with deionised water
What is Deionised Water?
Deionised water is water that has had all minerals and ions removed, making it pure. This is done by using a special water filtration system that incorporates ion exchange resins. The minerals are replaced by hydrogen and hydroxide ions, creating pure water free from any unwanted particles. Because there are no minerals present, this type of water is ideal for cleaning surfaces that may otherwise leave behind hard water spots reducing the efficiency of your panels.
Why Use Deionised Water for Window Cleaning?
If you wash your panels with regular tap water, minerals in the water can leave unsightly hard water stains on the surface. This can make your solar panels look grimy and inefficient. By using deionized water for window cleaning, you can prevent these stains from forming. The pure water evaporates off the glass leaving no mineral deposits behind, resulting in sparkling clean solar panels.
Cleaning form the ground via our reach and wash systems is ideal for roof mounted solar panels to be cleaned. For ground mounted solar panel cleaning is much easier on foot.
Fixed onto the reach and wash pole system we use and electric two-mode rotary brush for washing solar panel modules. Thanks to the rotation of the brush movements, it allows you to remove old dirt without scratching the washing surface. This produces:
- Less effort with good cleaning results
- Very high cleaning effect due to rotation
- Low weight (2.8 kg) for fatigue-free working
- Driven by 2 powerful 24 V motors
Most clients set up an annual scheduled maintenance program to ensure the maximum production of electricity and up holding their warranty.