Many people use solar energy to meet their energy needs in their homes or businesses. Solar panels absorb sunlight to create a current and then convert it to usable electricity. How clean they are foodiesfact, determines the quality of electricity they produce.
Cleaning the panel by yourself at home can be risky and may require you to follow the safety guidelines put in place. Since the process is more complex than it may seem, you may need to seek professional help. If you are New Jersey based, we got you covered.
Professionals follow the safety protocols in the industry, and while at it, they ensure your panel performs at its best.
Reasons Why Your Solar Panel Needs Cleaning.
Dirty solar panels are a common problem that homeowners face. That is due to reasons like:
- Debris comes from animals and plants and sticks between cells. The debris causes blockages, which prevent an easy flow of electricity through the panel.
- Dust builds up slowly on the panels over time if there is no regular cleaning.
- Rainwater is another reason solar panels need cleaning, as the raindrops seep into them, causing water damage igadgetnow. Also, the raindrops cause rusting on the metal connection. Rusting happens because of the corroding effect when there is moisture inside the cells.
- Water damage is a factor in that when water gets into the panel, corrosion happens, reducing the amount of electricity coming from the solar system.
How To Clean Solar Panels
Rainwater helps clean solar panels by removing accumulated grime on the surface, but the dirt collects at the bottom. Professionals, however, have various tactics that they employ to clean solar systems.
They are as follows:
Soap-Less Brushes And Sponges
It is possible to clean solar panels without soap. Sometimes the use of soap has adverse effects as it leaves a residue that shades the surface of the solar panel. The shading results in ineffective absorption of light. Soap residue also attracts dust.
Professionals are now using deionized water with a brush mounted on a vehicle or a rolling. With that, they do not need to use soap.
Robotics
Automatic and semi-automatic robots clean solar panels thanks to robot technology. The semi-automatic robots are portable and are used in cleaning panels in greenhouses, shed roofs, and carports, among others. The fixed robots also clean large solar panels installed in dusty environments requiring regular cleaning.
Sometimes high-pressure washing can cause damage to panels. For that reason, professionals use solar-powered autonomous robots as they use soft microfiber and airflow.
Waterless Vibration
The US has a project funded by NASA whereby scientists have devised ways to clean solar panels by causing them to shake the dust off their surfaces. This solution involves attaching a motor to the back of a solar panel. It has to be a motor that uses direct current. The motor is then turned for it to induce vertical vibrations.
Manual Cleaning Work
As much as manual cleaning is old-fashioned, it is very effective. Using waterless vibration, robots, and unique coating solutions is innovative and practical. However, at times the case is different.
These methods are often expensive and inefficient. Manual cleaning is effective, especially with small installations igadgetnewstoday, commercial-scale structures, and residential and unique structures.
Manual cleaning requires you to use instruments like the ones that clean car windshields. Also, you can use special brushes which rotate as they brush the soil off the panel.
Nanoparticle Coating
There are solar panel coatings that help prevent dust from accumulating on the surfaces of solar panels, especially in harsh environments. The coat is dust repellant, which makes the dust easily washable using water. It is also transparent, allowing efficient light penetration through the panel.
Solar panels are supposed to be cleaned once or twice every year. However, some locations require you to clean the panels more. They include
- Wooded areas because of the falling of leaves and accumulation of droppings from birds.
- Deserts because they are dry and dusty with the pile-up of sand.
- Polluted areas because of oil build-up and atmospheric grime.
When Do You Clean Your Solar Panel?
You know it’s time to clean your solar panel when you notice a decline in efficiency. During the winter season newspinup, pollution is higher. That is when cold air traps pollutants close to the ground.
In summer, the solar panels are too hot, which makes them so hard to clean. It is best to do the cleaning during spring. Ensure the cleaning occurs in the morning or early in the evening when the panels are not hot.