As a solar panel owner, you understand the need to keep your panels spotless for optimal performance.
But unfortunately, solar panels lose efficiency as they collect dust, grime, and soil over time.
Solar panel cleaning is a simple technique that may boost efficiency and extend the life of your panels.
In this post, we’ll discuss all you need to know regarding cleaning your solar panels, from the elements that influence their effectiveness to the various cleaning procedures and the necessary safety precautions. So let’s jump right in.
Factors Affecting Solar Panel Efficiency
Shading
Are your solar panels being shaded by nearby trees or other obstructions? More than half of a solar panel’s efficiency might be lost due to shading.
In addition, your solar panels’ efficiency and effectiveness may suffer if they receive less sunshine than expected due to the shade.
If branches or other items are pressing against your roof, you should trim them back.
Expert solar installers can help you choose where the solar panels should go to maximise sunlight and minimise shadows on your property.
Climate & Weather
Solar panel efficiency can be drastically reduced in extremely windy or snowy environments.
However, there’s a sweet spot for solar cell performance.
It’s commonly believed that solar panels perform better in hotter environments. But, this can cause problems and possibly a drop in speed for your computer.
The system could be buried in snow, reducing its overall production.
As long as solar panels are not obscured, snow can increase efficiency.
The high irradiance of snow increases the amount of sunlight that enters the system due to its reflective nature.
Direction and Aspect of the Roof
The roof should be oriented towards the south to get the most out of solar panels.
But your home’s layout and shading could make that impossible.
After inspecting your roof, the solar business should be able to determine the best spot to install the panels.
The optimum angle for a solar panel is between 35 and 45 degrees.
The brackets can be swivelled to this position by the installation for maximum efficiency on flat roofs.
However, solar panel installation is a long-term investment, so in some cases, it may make sense to revamp your roof instead.
Solar Panel Types
Up to 24% efficiency is achieved with monocrystalline solar panels.
However, thin-film solar panels are the least efficient technology available.
Neither option, however, is preferable to the other. Ultimately, everything comes down to personal preference and roof size.
Although polycrystalline solar panels outperform thin film in terms of efficiency, their blue crystalline appearance has turned off some homeowners.
Both choices are viable depending on the available mounting space.
However, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient option if your home has a small roof.
Consequently, you’ll need some solar panels.
Productivity of Solar Equipment
Your solar system’s efficiency is affected by its inverters, energy controllers, and wires. It’s important to use high-quality solar panel accessories.
It is best to keep your equipment safe at all costs. As a result, the project’s return on investment will be delayed.
To keep your appliances running efficiently, consider the cable sizes you use. For instance, a 48V solar panel system will have its efficiency lowered by a 220V appliance.
Solar Tracking
Single- and dual-axis solar panels track the sun’s arc throughout the day. The device aids in reorienting the solar panels to receive optimal sunlight.
Proper tracking allows the cells to be optimally exposed to the sun with minimal shading.
Materials for the Roof
Maximum exposure to sunshine is ideal for the performance of solar panels.
However, the irradiance of some materials, such as iron sheets, is greater than that of tiles.
The effectiveness of solar panels can also be affected by the colour of the material used to make them.
Because of their effect on temperature, dark colours can reduce the efficiency of solar panels.
Preventive Maintenance
To prevent rapid degradation in performance, it is important to clean solar panels regularly, especially in places where it may be months before it rains or near roadways.
Also, make sure the snow isn’t obstructing anything. Low levels of maintenance for solar systems can shorten the useful life of the panels.
The payback time and self-sufficiency are both affected by the efficiency of solar panels. Therefore, you should guarantee the system is in perfect working order to prevent unnecessary interruptions.
If your solar panels are in good condition, you should get about 25% of their total capacity, even on cloudy days. For example, a 9 kW solar array generates only 2 kW on a foggy day.
Critical Considerations for Solar Panel Evaluations
Performance of Solar Panels
The efficiency with which solar energy is transformed into usable electricity is measured by the photovoltaic (PV) cell’s conversion efficiency.
The panel’s efficiency should be as high as feasible to maximise output about its footprint.
Which solar panel you choose will affect how efficient it is. Monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film are the three most common.
You can save money by purchasing less expensive, less efficient panels, but there are a few other factors to remember. For example, more energy can be generated from a panel of the same size with better efficiency. So the next step is to do either.
Generate as much electricity as possible in the allotted area, or get the same result using fewer panels and less real estate.
Fewer panels equal less money spent on installation, and if your energy needs grow, you may always add more.
The overall amount of energy needed for the application, the amount of space available for the PV panels, and the size of the panels themselves are all factors that must be considered.
A higher per-unit price can make sense if you’re only buying a small quantity.
Consider any size restrictions imposed by your local power company on solar installations. It is feasible to get near the utility’s limit by adjusting the panels’ efficiency and wattage.
However, modifying your solar array even little can have far-reaching effects, so getting an expert’s opinion is important before making any adjustments.
Loss of Quality
It is known in the solar business as “degradation” when a solar panel’s output decreases over time. While solar panel degradation is inevitable, panel degradation rates vary.
Short-term deterioration of panels is typically between 1% and 3% in the first year of operation. After that point, annual performance loss for solar panels averages between 0.8% and 0.9%.
The next logical enquiry could be, “How long do solar panels last?”
A solar panel can last anywhere from 25 to 40 years, depending on the quality and durability of the manufacturer.
This indicates that the panel has been tested and found to produce the necessary amount of energy for that time.
After the solar panel’s expected lifespan has passed, it will continue to produce electricity, albeit at a diminished rate.
For example, if the short-term degradation of a panel is 2% in the first year, it will function at 100% efficiency during the first year and at 98% efficiency in the second year.
In year 25, it would still operate at 78.8% efficiency, assuming it degrades at 0.8% each year.
Even a difference of a few tenths of a percentage point in annual deterioration rates between panels can significantly impact the system’s lifetime output.
So think about the scale of your system and simulate the anticipated output over time to get an accurate sense of its performance.
Durability
Different environments call for different levels of durability; the coast experiences high winds with salt water, whereas a mountaintop may have more snow and cold temperatures.
See if the panels you’re considering can withstand severe winds, dramatic temperature changes, and dampness.
On the other hand, panel durability may be a minor consideration if the construction site is in a mild climate with average precipitation.
Solar installations rely on components that can withstand being left out in the elements. Thus their durability is paramount.
If a photovoltaic (PV) panel cannot function in a certain environment, it will either not function or generate significantly less energy than expected.
In either case, you should expect the system’s performance to suffer, leading to decreased reliability and an inability to meet your energy demands.
Real-World Performance
Understanding how solar panel efficiency varies between ideal laboratory conditions and actual outdoor use is crucial.
Depending on your location, the typical amount of sunlight received, and the frequency of rain and snow, a solar panel installation company can estimate how well their panels will work.
In addition, if they have put panels in your general area, you can enquire about their real performance.
The panels’ predicted performance in extreme heat is another important consideration. Like other electrical systems, solar panels become less effective as the ambient temperature rises.
This is a problem for construction projects in regions where temperatures routinely soar above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Therefore, a more reliable estimate of energy generation and a more precise payback estimate can be obtained by including performance changes in the production estimates.
Service Contracts
Ideally, your panels will function reliably over their entire expected lifespan. However, no product is flawless, and imperfections are inevitable.
As a result, there are two common types of warranties for solar panels: a product warranty protects you from faulty goods, and a power warranty protects you from falling short of the specified output.
Either of these warranties does not necessarily cover panel replacement service. After verifying the duration of the warranty, the following step is to verify the scope of the coverage.
How do we handle weather-related damage claims under warranty? Suppose some animal chews up the panel. Finally, enquire how a warranty is handled.
When placing a warranty order, how long can I expect it to take until I hear back from the company?
When working with this company, what will your responsibilities be, and what will they be? Is there a fee associated with shipping or the exchange service?
Does it include help from a technical team? If a solar panel needs to be replaced, being prepared with this information beforehand will make filing a warranty claim much easier.
Putting money into a commercial solar installation can save and reduce emissions by producing renewable energy on-site.
When assessing your project, carefully examine which PV panel is ideal for your installation.
The significance of the panel’s effectiveness, durability, achievement, and warranty coverage should be considered. If you research before purchasing solar panels, you can rest assured that your system will function as intended for its entire lifespan.
Tips for Keeping Your Solar Panels Safe, Especially on the Roof
Extra care should be taken when cleaning
Solar panels are very low maintenance but still require cleaning twice a year.
When cleaning solar panels, having the right gear to get up to and down from the roof is important.
Cleaning the roof requires a ladder, scaffolding, safety harness, and helmet.
Be careful when washing the panels, especially if water is on them, and avoid operating in inclement weather.
It’s not a good idea to try cleaning your solar panels on your own, you are instead better off hiring a professional service. They are best equipped to maintain your panels because they will have the essential safety clothing and cleaning equipment.
Don’t Touch Them While They’re On!
Never touch active solar panels, which should go without saying but bears repeating.
When solar panels are turned on, hundreds of volts of electricity flow through them to be distributed to the power grid.
Suppose you want to avoid serious injury or death and the risk of starting a fire in your home. In that case, you should always turn off the power before cleaning or examining electrical appliances.
Likewise, your solar panels should be turned off before stepping on your roof.
Do Not Interfere with Electrical Equipment
Turning on and off solar panels is easy, but that’s the extent of your involvement with the grid.
Next, ensure you know how to convert them on or off; this should be obvious from a clearly labelled box, but if you need help, call the installation service.
Beyond this, refrain from ever interfering with the electricity supply. In the event of an issue, installers should be contacted so that a technician may be dispatched.
Only touch the system in turning it on and off because you have no idea where loose wires or malfunctions might be.
Precautions Should Be Taken During Severe Weather
If a severe storm were to hit your neighbourhood, the solar panels on your roof could be in danger. Turning off the system is necessary to protect the panels and electrical infrastructure from severe weather.
Simple solar panel cleaning can increase efficiency and lifespan.
Shade, climate, roof orientation, and solar panel type affect solar panel efficiency.
Snow irradiance increases efficiency, whereas shading reduces it by half. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient and work best around 35–45 degrees. Thin-film solar panels are the least efficient.
Polycrystalline solar panels exceed thin film in efficiency, but homeowners dislike their blue crystalline appearance.
For tiny roofs, monocrystalline solar panels are best. Inverters, energy controllers, and cables affect solar equipment productivity.
Tracking the sun throughout the day requires solar tracking. Roof materials should be sun-exposed.
Preventive maintenance slows performance decline. PV cell efficiency determines solar panel performance.
To maximum production per square foot, the panel should be efficient. This text’s solar panel buying tips are highly crucial. These include the application’s energy needs, PV panel space, and panel size.
Consider local power company size constraints on solar installations. Finally, before adjusting panel efficiency and wattage, consult an expert.
This essay emphasises solar panel durability, performance, and service contracts.
Durability is essential for solar installations, as it can withstand severe winds, dramatic temperature changes, and dampness. Real-world performance differs from lab performance.
Service contracts cover broken goods and underperformance, but not panel replacement. Ask about animal damage warranties.
Shipping and exchange fees should be considered when ordering a warranty. Before buying solar panels, examine their performance, durability, and warranty coverage. Clean solar panels carefully, especially on the roof.
Professional cleaning is better than DIY. Before walking on the roof or cleaning electrical appliances, turn off solar panels.
Touch the system solely to switch it on and off. During extreme weather, protect panels and electrical infrastructure.
