Maintenance Tips for Solar Panels (December 2024)

The costs of solar panels make them a big investment, and solar panel maintenance is necessary to ensure your long-term benefits. In this article, we'll list a few tips for solar panel maintenance and solar panel cleaning.

Investing in high-quality and cheap solar panels can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for cleaning and maintenance. You can ensure they operate at peak efficiency by choosing a reputable solar panel installer and regularly inspecting your panels.

The best solar panels all start with getting the best quotes from multiple qualified installers to find the best deal for your needs and budget. Click the button below to get started.

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Solar Panel Cleaning Robot

Solar panel cleaning robots represent a significant advancement in maintaining the efficiency and longevity of solar panel installations. These robots automate the cleaning process, ensuring that solar panels remain free from dust, snow, dirt, and other debris that can reduce their effectiveness in generating electricity.

Studies have shown that dirty solar panels can suffer from a 7% to 25% decrease in power output. For instance, Müller Solar claims that one robot can clean 1MW – 2MW daily, offering 20% more coverage than other robots.

A robot for cleaning solar panels reduced the cost by up to 40% compared to manual cleaning methods. Some solar panel cleaning robots operate without water and produce zero emissions, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional cleaning methods that use large amounts of water.

The innovative technology of solar panel cleaning robots comes into play, marking a new era in solar maintenance.

Tips for Maintenance of Solar Panels

Keep solar panels out of shade as energy production becomes inefficient when they are kept from absorbing any sunlight.
Keep an eye on the solar panels and ensure the inverters are flashing green lights. If they are not flashing, you are losing money by no longer compensating for your electricity use.
Document the day-to-day performance to improve solar panel maintenance. It is important to write down how much energy has been produced consistently daily and note dates when it is very cloudy. Some of the results will be inconsistent. (Your manufacturer would be able to provide you with the best monitoring system for your solar panels.)
Monitoring systems help you see how much you benefit the environment and how much CO² you emit into the atmosphere. They can also help you know how much you could benefit from the feed-in tariff scheme.
You can also see information about your solar panels servicing on a wall-mounted display at home.
If you have no time to clean solar panels, you can install automated cleaners that work like sprinkler systems or even schedule appointments with solar panel cleaning companies.
Luckily, solar power maintenance may not be needed because solar panels have no moving parts that could be affected by rust or breakdown.

Cleaning Tips for Solar Panel Cleaning

Solar panel cleaning kits come in very handy for cleaning solar panels. Inside the kit is a biodegradable soap, a wiper, and a small brush or brush with a longer handle. Mix the soap in the bucket with water. Instructions are provided on the bottle. Dip the brush in the bucket and begin gently wiping the solar panels. You can use plain water or a soft brush to remove any grime or dirt that has built up on the panels.
How to clean solar panels has never gotten easier! Clean solar panels when moist or wet so any dirt or residue stuck on them can be wiped off easily.
Never use an abrasive sponge or soap to clean solar panels, as you may scratch the glass. A soft rag or biodegradable soap is the best way to clean solar panels.
It is important not to use harsh materials when cleaning solar panels as they could cause damage, and solar panels are costly to repair.
If you clean often, you might be able to just run a hose along the panels to remove any dirt. Fewer calls on solar panel maintenance.
Use a long-handled wiper to clean the panels while standing on the ground for your safety and the safety of others around you.
Always watch out for dirt on the solar panels to ensure they don’t build up since they can absorb sunlight better when they are free of dirt.
If you must get on the roof, take proper care, as once you begin cleaning, the roof becomes slippery, and you could slide off when you get down, so use safety ropes or a harness for support.
So, how often should you clean your solar panels? That depends on the state of your solar panels, which is affected by local weather conditions and other factors that can lead to debris accumulating on the surface of your solar panels. Generally, solar panels can be cleaned anywhere from once every 2 months to once a year.

If you have further questions about the effects of weather conditions on your solar panels, we highly recommend checking out our article answering the question, "Do solar panels work in cloudy weather?"

Taking care of your solar panels is crucial to ensure their longevity and efficiency, but sometimes cleaning and maintenance won't be enough to keep them running smoothly. If your solar panels are old, damaged or simply not working as well as they used to, it may be time to consider replacing them with new ones.

At GreenMatch, we can help you get started with installing solar panels or finding a qualified installer to help you with maintenance and repair. By comparing up to 3 competitive quotes from our network of trusted suppliers, you can choose the best solar panels for your needs and budget.

Click the button below and fill out our simple form to get started today and take the first step towards getting solar panels.

Quotes from local engineers
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Save up to £1,005 per year