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Did you know that solar energy production is reduced by 17-25% because of dust and particulate air pollution?
Cleaning home solar systems is a simple process. However, some people clean the panels incorrectly or don’t clean them at all.
When this happens, it could mean that you miss out on significant savings. Even worse, risk damaging your solar energy system.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your panels.
Table of Contents
1. Not Cleaning Them Regularly
The longer dirt and dust sit on the surface of your panels, the harder it will be to remove them. Even if you can see that there’s dirt on your panels right now, don’t wait until spring before cleaning them off.
Instead, give yourself an extra few minutes during each monthly solar maintenance routine and wipe off any accumulated grime before it becomes too hard to remove.
2. Not Using the Right Cleaning Tools
You should never use steel wool or other abrasive materials to clean your panels because they can cause solar panel damage.
Instead, use soft cloths or sponges with a mild soap and water solution. For stubborn stains, try vinegar or bleach instead of harsh chemicals like ammonia or chlorine bleach.
3. Not Rinsing off the Panels
You should always rinse off all soap residue after cleaning your panels.
If you don’t rinse off all the soap residue, then the dirt will stick to it and collect in between each tile on your panel. This will cause it to deteriorate faster than normal.
4. Not Using Distilled Water
Only use distilled water when cleaning your panels. Tap water contains minerals that can build up on them over time if left unchecked and cause the panels to deteriorate faster.
If you don’t have distilled water, then use clean tap water that has been left out for at least 24 hours so that the chlorine can dissipate.
5. Not Washing in the Right Order
Many people assume they should clean their panels from top-down and front to back. This is incorrect.
The correct way to clean solar panels is from back to front and bottom up. The reason for this is that the dirt accumulates on top, so it needs to be cleaned first before any of the other panels.
If you want tips for installing solar panels, click here.
6. Not Using Enough Pressure
You should use enough pressure to clean off the dirt without damaging your solar panels.
This can be hard to gauge and largely depends on what kind of equipment you have available. If possible, try using a pressure washer for this job because it will give you more control over how much force is being applied to the panels.
These Are the Secrets to Cleaning Home Solar Systems
Cleaning home solar systems ensures a long lifespan for your panels. Avoid these common mistakes and you’ll save a lot of time, money, and frustration. When this happens, it could mean that you miss out on significant savings. Even worse, risk damaging your solar energy system.
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