Solar panels are an efficient way to utilize solar energy in your home or business establishment, as well as cut electricity costs. But, typically, for the solar panels to perform optimally, they'll have to be left out in the open where they can absorb maximum sunlight and increase their efficiency. As a result, the solar panels will become dirty from dust or leaves. 

A dirty solar panel won't perform optimally because the dirt will act as a barrier between the sun rays and the photovoltaic cells in the panels. Therefore, you should make it a habit to clean your solar panels regularly so they can serve you well.  Some companies do residential solar panels maintenance, and you can contact them to clean the panels for you. 

Cleaning solar panels require special care due to their delicate nature.  If there's steady rain and wind, the panels will be cleaned, and they'll perform optimally. But, if you want to do the cleaning yourself, here’s a guide that’ll help:

1. Clean From The Ground 

Solar panels are delicate and can easily crack or break if not handled properly. Therefore, when cleaning a solar panel, it's best if you do it on the ground. This will enable you to access all the panel areas without much strain and any risk of breaking them or injuring yourself. 

When moving your panel from the roof to the ground, you should be careful not to break it. If you're not sure about moving it, you can ask for professional help. After cleaning the solar panel on the ground, you should let it dry properly before attempting to move it back to the roof as it could slip if it's still wet, and, then, break. 

2. Clean On A Cool Day

When cleaning solar panels, you should be aware that any abrupt change of temperature on the surface can cause them to break. Therefore, if the sun is too hot, you should avoid cleaning the solar panels as the glass may crack if they come in contact with cold water. Also, the water will quickly evaporate, leaving dirt stains, and you may need more water to clean them. 

The best time to clean a solar panel is during the evening or early in the morning. At this time, the panel has cooled down, and you won't require too much water, plus you can keep your home eco-friendly. Cleaning in the morning will also mean you take advantage of dew that has settled on the panel to clean it and start the day with an effective panel.

3. Use The Right Cleaning Materials 

Because of the delicate nature of panels, you should use soft materials that won’t damage the them, which means you should avoid metal materials and hard brushes. Cleaning a solar panel is simple, and you won't need a unique material to clean it other than cloth, a sponge or a soft brush, and clean water.

You can attach a high-pressure nozzle to your garden hose and use a squeegee on larger panels to give a clean wash and ensure that you remove even the most stubborn grimes. If you use hard water in cleaning, you should ensure that you rinse the panels with clean water or dry them with a squeegee as it may form deposits when it dries, affecting the performance of the solar panels. 

4. Follow The Manufacturer’s Instructions 

Manufacturers may have different instructions on how to clean the panels. Such include shutting them down before cleaning and ensuring water doesn't get to their underside. They can also recommend that you connect devices connected to the solar system before you start cleaning. 

Cleaning against these instructions can damage the solar panels or reduce their efficiency in the long run. There are also different types of solar panels, such as hybrid, photovoltaic, and thermal solar panels that require different cleaning. 

5. Hire Professional Cleaners 

This can either be the first option or the last resort to clean your solar panel. Either way, you can be assured of getting your panels cleaned when you hire reputable professionals to do the job. 

They often have the right equipment to climb on roofs and remove the solar panels, or clean them on the spot. Moreover, they're knowledgeable about the different types of solar panels, and they'll know the specific cleaning instructions for a particular panel. A reliable company may also be insured, and you won't have to worry about incurring any more costs in case of damages, which is even unlikely. 

Conclusion 

As solar panels serve you correctly, you have to ensure that they remain efficient all the time. You can do this by cleaning them regularly to remove any dirt that can prevent the photovoltaic cells from trapping solar energy. If you can't clean them by yourself., then you should consider professional services.