As a solar panel cleaning technician, I get asked one question more than any other: “How often should I clean my solar panels?” The answer, unfortunately, is not a simple one. It depends on several factors, including location, climate, and air pollution levels.
The quick answer… Solar panels should be cleaned at least every 12 months. There are some factors that you need to take into consideration to weather you should be cleaning them more often or not.
How Location Impacts Cleaning Frequency
If you live near a freeway, airport, or agricultural area, you’ll likely need to clean your solar panels more frequently.
These areas tend to have higher levels of dust and debris in the air, which can accumulate on your panels and reduce their efficiency. In these cases, I recommend cleaning your solar panels every three months.
On the other hand, if you live in a rural area with low air pollution levels, you may only need to clean your solar panels every six months. And if you live in an area with high elevations or near a delta region, you may be able to get away with cleaning your solar panels only once a year.
The Role of Climate in Solar Panel Cleaning
The climate in your area can also impact how often you need to clean your solar panels. For example, if you live in an area with high levels of smog or dust storms, you’ll need to clean your panels more frequently.
On the other hand, if you live in an area with regular rainfall, the rain may help keep your panels clean and reduce the need for frequent cleaning.
Air Pollution Levels Are Important
Air pollution levels can also impact how often you need to clean your solar panels. If you live in an area with high levels of air pollution, such as near a industrial site or major highway, you’ll likely need to clean your panels more frequently.
The Best Way to Determine Cleaning Frequency
So how do you determine how often to clean your solar panels? The best way is to monitor their performance and adjust accordingly.
Most modern solar panel systems come with monitoring software that allows you to track their performance over time.
By monitoring this data, you can see when the performance of your system starts to decline and schedule a cleaning accordingly.
Here’s what I recommend:
- Get your solar panels cleaned and then monitor their performance over time.
- Check the output of your system regularly (e.g., every three months) and compare it to the benchmark reading taken after the initial cleaning.
- If the output starts to decline significantly (e.g., 5-10%), it’s likely time for another cleaning.
In Summary
To summarise:
- If you live near a freeway or airport: Clean every 3 months
- If you live in a rural area: Clean every 6 months
- If you live in suburban area: Clean once per year
But remember: The key is not just about frequency but about making sense financially based on bill savings compared against cost
I hope this helps clarify things! Do let me know what questions come up next