Have you noticed visible build-up on your solar panels lately? At a glance, it can appear that your panels are simply a little dusty and need a quick rinse.
Viewed up close, however, there is usually much more than dust obscuring your panel’s ability to function properly. This is why rain or a hose-down is not an effective method for cleaning, even if you add in a little detergent.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what you can expect to be deposited on your panels and why professional cleaning is the best way forward.
Why Clean Panels Matter
While your panels are designed to weather all weather, the natural build-up of organic deposits must still be dealt with.
Dirty panels block the absorption of sunlight, inhibiting your panels from capturing it and converting it to energy. This can significantly reduce their output over time.
Ultimately, the purpose of your panels is to provide you with a renewable energy source and save you money on electricity bills. This is why it is vital to keep them clean and working at their best.
The Surface Of Your Solar Panels
Far from only dealing with dust and dirt, your solar panels and their performance can also be affected by:
Lichen
A plantlike growth, lichen is a symbiotic partnership of two separate organisms, a fungus and an alga.
Using small fingerlike growths called rhizines, lichen firmly attaches itself to your panels and can quickly spread to cover a large area.
Lichen is particularly problematic for solar panels as it prohibits the proper dissipation of heat from the panels, causing hot spots.
This reduces their performance and can cause lasting damage to your panels that will not be covered under warranty.
Bird Droppings
Acidic and impossible to avoid, bird droppings on your solar panels are more than just a nuisance.
Under the continued heat from the sun, the acid in the droppings can burn the class, causing etching and again, hot spots.
Sap
Sticky sap from overhanging trees is a common find on solar panels. Similar to bird droppings sap is highly acidic, just like it can damage the paint of your car it can also eat into your panels.
Not only that, being sticky, it attracts dirt and grime, making it even harder to clean away.
Leaf Litter
A big cause of hot spots, leaf litter if, not cleared away, can also block the proper absorption of sunlight and its conversion to energy.
Able to become wedged in the edges of panels, leaves are not something you can simply count on the wind to deal with for you.
Soot
If you have a fireplace at your home, soot will likely be found on your panels. Soot from exhaust is also possible for those living close to main roads.
Just like dirt, the build-up of soot acts like a blanket over your solar panels, blocking sunlight and reducing solar panel performance significantly.
Mineral Deposits
Rainwater contains varying amounts of major and minor ions. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, and sulphate ions. All of these can build up on the surface of your panels.
This means that far from washing your panels, rainwater is actually contributing to the poor performance of your panels. Even your tap water used when hosing can leave mineral deposits on your panels.
Salt
While salt is counted as a mineral deposit, it can be particularly problematic for those living in coastal regions.
Salt mist can travel vast distances and when not addressed on solar panels, leads to corrosion of metal components and damage to the glass.
For this reason, homeowners living in beachside suburbs should have their solar panels professionally cleaned with greater frequency.
Why You Should Call The Professionals
Given there are so many types of build-up that can be seen on panels, often several types at once, it is important to engage professional help with cleaning.
Not only do professional solar panel cleaners have the appropriate equipment and training, but they also utilise purpose-made cleaning solutions.
Undertaking this maintenance yourself can see you damage your panels and void your warranty while also placing yourself at risk of injury. You are also unlikely to achieve the same spotless results.
At Spotless Solar Care, our attention to detail and use of approved tools and chemicals ensure that your warranty remains intact and your panels are left sparkling clean.
We understand how to remove all kinds of grime efficiently and safely, ensuring your panels are functioning at peak energy production.
For cost-effective solar panel cleaning in Sydney, handled by fully insured and trained professionals, contact Spotless Solar Care today at 0415 278 988.
