Table Of Content
Solar Panel Cleaning and Maintenance: Methods and Scheduling
- Factors affecting cleaning frequency
- Safe and effective cleaning methods
- Recommended cleaning schedules
If you own a solar power system, you would realise that it is all about exposing the maximum surface of the panels to the sun for maximum possible time. What can really affect its performance and efficiency is barriers like dust and debris. This makes it extremely important to clean and maintain the panels regularly. We at VEMC are the leading solar panel consultants and installers based in Mumbai, and in this blog we talk about cleaning and maintaining your solar panels.
Factors affecting cleaning frequency
While it is necessary to clean your solar panels regularly, it cannot be feasible in terms of cost and labour to do so too frequently. Here are some decisive factors that determine how frequently you must clean your panels:
- Environmental conditions: The larger environmental context you are located in is the foremost factor to determine your cleaning frequency. For instance, you may need to clean the panels more often if you’re located in the middle of a busy urban centre or near a factory, as compared to a bucolic rural setting.
- Dust accumulation: How much dust accumulates on your panels in a given setting will also determine the cleaning frequency. Dust could be raised by heavy traffic or industrial processes like mining or stone crushing.
- Bird droppings: Another widely noticed barrier to sunlight shining on your panels is bird droppings. If your facility has a lot of trees nearby, it is quite likely that birds would fly over your panels and pound them with their droppings. This will make regular cleaning necessary.
Safe and effective cleaning methods
Cleaning your solar panels is quite simple and straightforward but for the sake of longevity, you must keep a few guidelines in mind.
- Use water and mild detergent: Use de-ionised, rain or tap water to clean your panels. Make sure the water is clean to prevent any mud or contaminants from remaining behind on the panels. Do not use any abrasive, acidic or alkalic cleaners on your panels. A regular mild detergent should do.
- Specialised cleaning brushes: These days, a lot of sellers are offering brushes made specifically for solar panels. These are often motorised and can clean in both linear and circular motion. Most importantly, they clean without leaving any marks or scratches on the surface.
- Robotic cleaners: These are automated systems used to clean solar panel surfaces. These operate by using a combination of mechanical and smart technologies to clean efficiently. These are especially useful when your solar panels are out of reach or located too precariously for manual cleaning.
Recommended cleaning schedules
Solar panels must typically be cleaned twice a year. However, regular inspections are necessary to take more precise decisions and get maximum efficiency. Besides, the above-mentioned factors will also play a key role in scheduling your cleaning.
To get the most out of your solar power systems, cleaning and maintaining them is essential. We at VEMC offer comprehensive solar EPC contracts to our clients which cover everything your solar power system needs post purchase. For more on this, feel free to call us on 022 43436655 or email us at marketing@vemc.co.in.