Solar Panel Cleaning Supplies and Equipment
Find the essential solar panel cleaning tools and supplies you need to keep your solar panels performing at their best, whether you’re working on solar farms, commercial, or residential panels. We’re your one-stop shop for all your solar panel cleaning needs, from which brush is the best, to professional-grade cleaning solutions and water-fed poles.
We offer a wide variety of solar panel cleaning supplies, including solar panel cleaning starter kits, robots, water fed poles, systems, and more. You will find countless products designed to help you achieve peak efficiency from your solar panels. Our products are sure to stand up to the abuse of everyday use, plus all of your solar panel cleaning supplies ship fast and free over $49! Have any questions about finding the best professional solar panel cleaning tools for your business? Call us at 862-266-0677; we have experts ready to help!
Will Solar Panels Crack When Cleaning with Cold Water?
One common concern when cleaning solar panels is whether using cold water could cause the panels to crack, especially during hotter weather. While solar panels are designed to withstand various weather conditions, sudden temperature changes can indeed pose a risk. Solar panels consist of tempered glass, which is generally quite durable. However, if the panels are exposed to intense sunlight and become very hot, spraying them with cold water could potentially create thermal stress. This rapid temperature change might cause the glass to crack or weaken over time. This phenomenon is known as thermal shock. To avoid this issue, it’s advisable to clean solar panels either early in the morning or late in the evening when the panels are cooler. While the risk of cracking due to cold water is low, it’s best to be cautious by avoiding cleaning during peak sunlight hours and using equipment that offers controlled water temperature.
Do I Need To Clean Solar Panels?
Yes, it’s crucial to clean your solar panels regularly. While solar panels are designed to be relatively low-maintenance, keeping them clean is essential for ensuring they perform at their best. Dirt, dust, pollen, bird droppings, and other debris can accumulate on the surface of the panels, blocking sunlight and significantly reducing their efficiency. By cleaning your solar panels, you can improve their ability to generate energy, which ultimately means more savings on your clients electricity bill.
Neglecting to clean your solar panels can lead to more serious issues beyond just reduced efficiency. Dirty spots on the panels can create hotspots, where certain areas become much hotter than others. These hotspots can cause significant damage to the photovoltaic modules, accelerating wear and reducing the overall lifespan of the panels. The accumulation of contaminants like cement dust, bird droppings, and fungi can cause significant energy losses—up to 70% in some cases*. Regular cleaning is critical to maintaining the performance, service life, and warranty of your panels.
In addition to increasing efficiency, regularly cleaning solar panels enhances the overall appearance of a home. Clean solar panels contribute to a tidy and well-maintained look, making the property more attractive—a key selling point for your solar panel cleaning services. Whether homeowners are planning to sell or simply want to enjoy a cleaner, more polished appearance, keeping solar panels free from dirt and grime can make a noticeable difference.
Source: Chemitek.pt
How Often Do Solar Panels Need to Be Cleaned?
The frequency with which solar panels should be cleaned often depends on environmental factors and the specific conditions of their location. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to clean your solar panels at least twice a year to keep them performing at their best. However, if you live in an area where there’s a lot of dust, pollen, bird droppings, or pollution from nearby factories or busy roads, you might need to clean them more often—possibly every two to three months. In regions where it doesn’t rain much, dirt and debris can build up faster, so more frequent cleaning may be necessary.
The angle of your solar panels also makes a difference in how often they need attention. Panels with a steeper slope usually clean themselves better when it rains, as the water naturally washes away any grime. On the other hand, flat or slightly tilted panels tend to collect more dirt and might need a bit more upkeep. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your solar panels’ energy output. If you notice that they aren’t producing as much energy as usual, it could be a sign that they need a good cleaning.
How Do You Clean Solar Panels?
One modern approach is the use of robots. These solar panel robots are especially useful for large solar installations or hard-to-reach panels. Robotic cleaners are designed to move across the surface of the panels, using soft brushes and a small amount of water to remove dirt and debris. While convenient and reducing the need for manual labor, robotic cleaners can be a more costly option and are typically more practical for commercial-scale solar farms.
Another method involves using chemicals specifically formulated for solar panel cleaning. These can be effective for removing tough stains like bird droppings or tree sap. However, it’s important to use the right type of cleaning agents to avoid damaging the panels’ surface. When handling chemicals, be sure to wear proper PPE, such as gloves, goggles, and masks, to protect yourself from any harmful fumes or splashes. After applying the chemicals, thoroughly rinse off the chemicals to ensure no residue is left on the panel.
Perhaps the most recommended method for cleaning solar panels is using a pure water system combined with a water-fed pole. Pure water systems filter out minerals and impurities from the water, ensuring that no spots or streaks are left behind after cleaning. This is particularly important because regular tap water can leave mineral deposits on the panels, reducing their efficiency. The water-fed pole, equipped with a soft-bristled brush, allows you to safely clean the panels from the ground, scrubbing away dirt while the purified water rinses it off.
For more detailed information on how to clean solar panels, including tips and techniques, you can check out this further reading resource.
Whats The Best Way To Clean Solar Panels?
The best way to clean solar panels is by using a combination of a pure water system and water-fed pole. This duo ensures that your panels are cleaned without leaving behind any residue that could reduce their efficiency.
Pure water systems filter out all the minerals and impurities from the water. This means that when you rinse your solar panels, there’s no risk of hard water stains or mineral films being left behind, which can happen with regular tap water. These stains not only make the panels look dirty but also block sunlight, reducing the amount of energy your panels can generate.
Paired with a pure water system, a water-fed pole equipped with a soft-bristled brush is the ideal tool for scrubbing off dirt, dust, and debris. The water-fed pole allows you to reach the panels safely from the ground, without the need for ladders. As you scrub, the brush dislodges any grime, while the purified water flows through the pole to rinse away the debris, leaving the panels spotless.
The pure water prevents streaks and spots, and the action of the brush ensures that the surface of the solar panels is thoroughly cleaned without the possibility of scratching the solar panel.
