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As a specialist solar PV installer, at Bailey Electrical Services we’ve brought the power of sunlight to homes across Peterborough. If you’ve had solar panels installed on your home, they’ll require some maintenance as the years roll by.

Your roof tiles get pretty dirty over time, don’t they? Well, your solar panels could suffer a similar fate if you don’t clean them periodically, which will affect their ability to produce energy as the grime builds up. Though solar panels are designed to be low-maintenance, rainfall alone isn’t always enough to remove built-up muck from the surface.

Dirt left on solar panels will block sunlight from reaching the surface effectively, limiting the amount of electricity they’re able to generate.

If you don’t have time to maintain your solar panels, at Bailey Electrical Services we offer professional cleaning and maintenance services. Enquire today to learn more.

DIY Cleaning Solar Panels

Cleaning your solar panels is a straightforward enough affair, provided you have the right equipment.

You’ll need the following to effectively clean your solar panels:

  • A lightweight, soft-bristle brush or soft cloth with a long handle
  • Biodegradable soap
  • Water

If your solar panel isn’t that dirty, you likely won’t even need the soap – just water and a cloth or soft brush. Generally speaking, though, it’s worth getting hold of some biodegradable soap for a spotless finish – meaning you won’t have to clean the panels again so soon.

Mix the water and soap together and go to town, carefully wiping the solar panels until they’re gleaming once again. Don’t use abrasive or aggressive sponges or soaps, as you may damage the surface of the solar panels – not a cheap fix.

Likewise, avoid using a jet wash as that is likely to harm the surface too. Stick to gentle methods of cleaning – a good old bucket of soapy water will suffice.

You can purchase special solar panel cleaning implements with extra-long handles, allowing you to clean your solar panels from the ground. We highly recommend purchasing such a tool, as it’s so much safer than risking life and limb up on the roof of your home.

As you wet the solar panels, your roof tiles can become slippery too – a dangerous combination when you’re two storeys up.

How often will I need to clean my solar panels?

This is very much a ‘how long is a piece of string’-type question, unfortunately. The answer to it very much depends on the direction in which your house is facing and the volume of particulates in the air; if you live in a city with high levels of pollution, for example, this will tarnish your solar panels more quickly.

The best way to determine whether your solar panels need cleaning is to keep an eye on how much electricity they’re generating. If you notice a dip in their performance, it’s highly likely that they need a clean.

Remember, if you don’t want to purchase all of the necessary equipment to clean your solar panels, don’t feel confident enough doing it or simply don’t have the time, we can help. At Bailey Electrical Services, we’re experienced solar PV installers and are able to confidently and effectively clean and maintain your solar panels for you

To find out more about this or any of our other services, contact us today via email or pick up the phone and call 01733 306103.

Simon

Author Simon

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