OUTDOOR KEEPERS | Solar Panel Cleaning

1. Why Does It Matter Whether or Not Solar Panels Are Cleaned? Panels that are covered with an excessive amount of dirt or debris can start producing less power. The majority of the time, the reduction in power is hardly appreciable—perhaps between 1 and 4.7 percent. According to the findings of one study, however, prolonged dirt buildup on solar panels can reduce the amount of electricity produced by the panels by as much as 25 percent. The good news is that rain or snowmelt during the appropriate seasons will typically remove any dirt or animal droppings that may have accumulated. However, if there is very little precipitation in your region and the weather is often dry, windy, and dusty, your panels might need to be cleaned more frequently. While some property owners feel comfortable washing the panels themselves, others opt to have a trained expert do the job instead. What are the telltale signs that it's time to clean my solar panels? Carry out a visual check once a month to check for any obvious signs of dust accumulation. In addition, you can check your electric bill or the monitoring app on your solar system to see whether there has been a discernible decrease in production. After that, you will need to start worrying about cleaning your solar panels. And even if they aren't, mother nature will almost certainly do the scrubbing for you. How Should I Clean My Solar Panels, and What Should I Use? The good news is that cleaning solar panels is not difficult for ground-mounted systems or for some rooftop solar systems that are installed on standard homes. People typically use a hose and a brush with soft bristles and an extended handle, similar to the kind of brush used to clean the exterior of an RV or truck. In most cases, water is sufficient; however, fingerprints, stains, or dirt accumulations that have accumulated on the glass can be removed with over-the-counter glass cleaners or with a solution consisting of 3% soap and water. A high-pressure hose nozzle with an attachment that contains the cleaning solution could be effective in this situation if the panels are difficult to access. You should be able to find these at a local store that specialize in home maintenance. Find a place to stand that is secure, spray the panels with soapy water, and then completely rinse them off. It can be summed up in such a short phrase.

2. You should check with your solar energy provider to find out what maintenance tasks are covered before you decide to clean the panels on your own. When it comes to many leases, the cleaning is provided at no additional cost; however, if you own the property, you need to be sure that you do not use any tools or cleaning procedures that would void the guarantee on the property. When should I get in Touch with a Qualified Professional? You can hire a professional to clean your solar panels in the same way that you would hire someone to wash your car or clean your house. If you have a system installed on the roof of your building, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional cleaning service. In addition to the benefit of not having to climb up on the roof yourself, specialists are outfitted with the appropriate safety gear for working on rooftops. When looking to hire a professional, you should always double check that they are both licenced and bonded in their field. Since you can safely clean your own panels with a simple dosage of hose water and liquid soap, it may not be worth paying for the service if you have a ground unit because the service price may not be worth it. How Frequently Does Cleaning the Solar Panels Need to Be Done? Another possibility is that nature will take care of the regular cleaning for you. However, make sure that you pay close attention to either your monthly electricity bill or your monitoring app. If you observe a discernible decrease in production, it is likely time to perform a speedy cleanup. As a rule of thumb, you should only need to clean your system roughly twice each year at the most. If you live in a part of the United States that is prone to wildfires on an annual basis, such as the western part of the country, you should inspect your solar panels for ash or soot buildup as soon as possible after neighbouring fires have been brought under control. Because they are distinct from ordinary dust and animal droppings, you should probably consult an expert to find out the most effective method for removing soot buildup from the surfaces of the devices. How Much Does It Cost to Have a Professional Clean Your Solar Panels? Having said that, the costs involved and the amount of time necessary change depending on a number of criteria, including your zip code, the quantity of panels, the pitch of your roof, and the accessibility of your system.

3. Check with your solar energy supplier to see if they can clean your panels for you or if they can recommend a firm that can do this for you and see if they can offer you with either option. What Kinds of Things Should I Never Do to My Solar Panels? Before you take any action, you should be aware of the following things that you should avoid doing: Maintain your position on the ground at all times. No one should ever climb on your roof unless they have a safe ladder and are equipped with the appropriate safety gear. If there is a need to go on the roof in order to clean the panels, it is strongly recommended that you hire a professional. Try to stay away from water that is very mineral-rich or hard. Over time, it could cause damage to the panels. If the only source of water available to you is hard water from the tap, you can purchase a low- cost water-softening hose attachment that filters minerals out of the water. If neither of those options is available to you, you can use distilled or de-ionized water. Avoid getting too close to the solar panels if you are going to be utilising a water nozzle that has a high pressure. Despite the fact that they are exceptionally resistant to damage, you shouldn't take any chances. Avoid using brushes, pads, or powders that have an abrasive texture. Instead, select squeegees, towels, and brushes with soft bristles to use in case you need them. What is the most effective way for me to clean the solar panels on my roof? Supplies needed: Hose Water Spray for windows or a solution of 3% dishwashing liquid (optional) Squeegee or a brush with soft bristles (like those used on tucks & RVs)

4. Contact Information 650-595-3988 1100 Industrial Rd #6 ,San Carlos, CA 94070 jobs@outdoorkeepers.com https://www.outdoorkeepers.com/ #Gutter_ Cleaning #Power_Washing #Solar_Panel_ Cleaning #Gutter_Downspout_Repair #Roof_Cleaning #Window_Cleaning #Gutter_Protection_System #Trash_Chute_Cleaning #Junk_Removal #Pigeon_Abatement # Sump_Pump #Catch_Basin_and_Lateral_Line_Cleaning