Investing in solar panels for your home is becoming increasingly popular as a low maintenance way to save energy. They do need to be occasionally cleaned as they are outside and can become dirty or build up of debris. Dirty solar panels can cause a 10% decrease in effectiveness. If your solar panels don't look glassy or shiny, it's probably time for a clean! We have a simple step by step process on how to best clean your solar panels!
Photo by Vivint Solar on Unsplash
Before you begin, if you have solar panels on your roof and it could become dangerous for you to clean them yourself, hire a professional!
1. Make sure to turn off the power to your solar panels while cleaning them. You can find out how to do this in your solar panel installer's instruction guides.
2. Set up your ladder and get a spotter to watch the ladder and assist you.
3. Remove any debris from on top of or underneath the panels.
4. Gently spray the solar panels with water and then wipe them down with dishwasher detergent and a sponge.
5. Gently rinse the panels off with water and let them air dry.
Cleaning your solar panels a couple times a year will help keep them working as efficiently as possible. Make sure to be gentle when washing your panels and never use a power washer or spray water directly underneath them. Be safe and hire a professional if you have any hesitation about cleaning them your solar panels yourself!
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