“To wash or not to wash?”, that is the question!
With solar energy gaining exponential popularity as an eco-friendly and sustainable power source, the adoption and installation of solar panels on domestic and commercial rooftops (or surrounding grounds) has become a common sight. With such outright exposure to the elements (and the occasional flying bowel movement from our feathered friends), cleaning your panels might seem like a no-brainer… but before deciding, let’s look at the evidence.
Location, Location, Location
If you’re UK based, chances are your solar panels will be subjected to a reasonable shower of rain on a consistent basis. Rain can wash away dust and debris that might otherwise accumulate on the panels’ surface, maintaining their efficiency – rain is your friend!
If we do happen to have a longer dry spell, or dust clouds of the Sahara suddenly descend (as they’re known to do) the buildup of dirt and particles may become more significant. Even a thin layer of dirt can hinder sunlight absorption leading to a decrease in energy efficiency. Though this obstructive covering will likely be temporary, it could still reduce your savings markedly.
Washing your solar panels can ensure optimal performance, but it could come at a cost. We would always recommend hiring a professional cleaning service over going it alone. Cleaning solar panels can be hazardous, especially if they are installed on a roof or any raised surface as there is a significant risk of accidents and/or damage to the system if approached incorrectly. Plus, some cleaning agents can degrade the protective film on panels and could also seep into the ground causing ecological harm – best to leave it to the experts.
With the cost of outsourced cleaning in mind, it may be worth relying on the UK’s ever reliant rainwater to cleanse the panels naturally.
And the survey says…
Manual solar panel cleaning might be needed in instances of exposure to high atmospheric particulates or if your installation is close to areas concentrated bird life. This would likely be on an “as and when” basis, the need for which could be identified by a substantial, consistent drop in solar energy production. For the most part, rainfall or self-cleaning panel technology will be sufficient in maintaining healthy solar panel condition and optimal energy production.
To find out more about solar PV installation for your business, please review our dedicated page here.
If you’d like to know more about renewable, green energy solutions for your business please don’t hesitate to call us: 01228 830 850 or drop us an email: info@golowcarbon.co.uk
