Cleaning solar panels is important since it ensures that they are in proper working condition. This is because it facilitates the removal of any dirt that might obstruct the sunlight from getting to the solar panels. If you fail to clean your solar panels regularly, it affects the output of electricity, and you will notice that the batteries do not last as long as they should. Below are some of the mistakes that you should avoid when you are cleaning solar panels.
Interfering with the tilt of the solar panels
In the process of cleaning the solar panels, you might need to take down some of the solar panels before putting them back. However, you should be careful to ensure that you put back the solar panels in their rightful position. During installation, a technician will assess the position of the sun and then tilt the panels appropriately to ensure that it receives maximum sunlight. The problem arises when you take down the panels during cleaning and fail to put the solar panels in their initial position. This affects the amount of sunlight getting to the panels, which reduces the amount of power that is generated. To prevent this problem, you can take a photograph of the exact position of the panels and refer to them once you are done with the cleaning process.
Lacking a cleaning schedule
It is important to have a cleaning schedule to ensure that you clean your solar panels regularly. If you lack a schedule, there is a high likelihood that dirt and grime might gradually accumulate on their surfaces. This will obstruct sunlight and prevent it from reaching the solar panels. This matter can be solved by having a schedule that ensures you check the solar panels regularly and remove any dirt on them.
Using corrosive cleaning agents
You should be cautious about the cleaning agents that you use to clean your solar panels. Suppose you have noticed a stain that cannot be removed by regular detergents, you can decide to go for industrial cleaning agents. Some of these can remove such stains, but they have a corrosive effect on the solar panels. The result of such agents is that the solar panels will gradually wear out and their service life will be shortened.
Always ask for cleaning guidelines from the solar panel dealers when you install them at your home. This will ensure that the panels can access sunlight without any obstructions on their surface.
Share5 March 2018
Did you know that the way we generate and use energy can have a big impact on the environment? I wasn't aware of this fact until my son came home from school. He had been learning all about climate change and he was really worried about the future. Seeing my 7-year-old in tears really moved me and I vowed that I would learn more about green energy. I contacted an energy consultant who came to visit my home. They assessed how energy efficient it was and recommended that I have solar panels and double glazing installed. The contractor who carried out this work was excellent. I decided to start this blog to encourage others to go green.