Photovoltaic panel cleaning
Why clean your solar panels?
The importance of cleaning solar panels should not be underestimated. Solar panels are an excellent source of renewable energy and energy savings, but they need to be properly maintained to work at their best.
Regular cleaning of solar panels is therefore an important step in maintaining their efficiency. Cleaning solar panels is important because it frees the surface of the panels from dirt and dust that can build up. These substances can reduce the efficiency of solar panels and therefore their ability to produce energy.
A compromised solar panel has a harder time capturing the sun’s rays, leading to a drop in electricity yield.The solar panel is a key part of your installation. To ensure that it works at its best and lasts as long as possible, it’s important to clean it regularly.
Determine the frequency of cleaning according to the slope of the roof
The frequency with which you clean your solar panels is closely linked to the slope of your roof. Specifically, if your roof has a slope of 15% or more and you live in a rather damp area, rain will help to clean the solar panels. However, such maintenance is largely insufficient to maintain a good level of performance, as rain contains pollution residues and fine particles that will tend to stick to your panel. That’s why we recommend that you have your solar panel cleaned at least once a year.
If your solar panel has an inclination of less than 15%, and if you live in a dry area, it is advisable to clean your solar panels every six months to maintain good yields.
Taking the environment into account
Soiling of solar panels also depends on the environment in which they are placed. Not all homeowners are equal when it comes to the damage that can be caused to their solar installations:
- In town centres or near busy roads, solar panels are more exposed to fine particles and pollution.
- In the countryside, ploughing and harvesting spread pollen that can reduce the performance of your solar panel by fouling it.
- In mountainous areas, snow clogs the surface of your solar panels and leaves residues that can impair their operation and leave marks.
- At the seaside, sand blown in by the wind can damage your solar array, requiring more regular cleaning.
In such conditions, it is highly advisable to seek the expertise of a professional to maintain and clean your solar panel.
If your solar panel has an inclination of less than 15% and if you live in a dry area, it is advisable to clean your solar panels every six months to maintain good yields.
When should you clean your solar panel?
Dust, soot and dirt of all kinds are not always visible to the naked eye, which is why it’s advisable not to wait until there’s serious clogging before calling in the services of a cleaning company. Generally speaking, professionals recommend cleaning either in early spring, to offset the effects of the snow and make the most of energy production when the warm weather returns, or in autumn, to improve efficiency and eliminate the various pollens that have accumulated.
The best solution is to clean the solar panels twice a year, so that you can make the most of their productivity without any loss of performance. Of course, for larger installations or corporate solar panels, even more frequent cleaning can be scheduled.
Solarnet specialises in cleaning solar panels in French-speaking Switzerland, and offers services in the canton of Vaud, Lausanne, as well as Geneva and Fribourg. To request a quote, please contact us.