Do Solar Panels Need Cleaning Uk

Most manufacturers recommend cleaning at least twice a year.

Do solar panels need cleaning uk.

In most cases you won t need to clean your solar panels often if at all. So the dirtier this coating becomes the less efficient the solar panel will be. However if you are in doubt do ask us to have a look at your generation figures taking in to account weather variations. There are some times it might make sense to clean your solar panels though.

This is not an expensive process but it can be dangerous if attempted by yourselves as clearly the panels are live. In fact the renewable energy hub says solar panel cleaning is an absolute must if you want to get the best possible performance from your panels. This tends to result in a 3 to 5 increase in efficiency. It is very important to keep solar panels clean to ensure they produce the most electricity they possibly can.

When to clean solar panels. Inside the kit you will find a biodegradable soap a wiper and a small brush or brush with a longer handle. Dust and particulate matter can reduce a solar array s production by as much as 25 according to a 2017 study by researchers in the us and india. And while the cost of solar panels has fallen by 70 since 2010 a solar panel system is still a significant investment costing 4 000 6 000 for a family of three.

After all anything that accumulates dirt on them for example dust or pollen will get washed off the next time it rains. In other parts of the world where rainfall levels are lower build up of dust and dirt can present more of an issue and panels may need to be cleaned more often to prevent a significant drop in output. You re here because in a moment of sudden panic you asked out loud to an empty room. Wait do solar panels need cleaning yes yes they do.

Generally in the uk unless your solar panels have bird droppings on them you shouldn t need to clean your solar panels. At the very least you should do an annual cleaning of your panels. In the uk climate solar panels are largely self cleaning and deterioration in pv system output due to dust or dirt is rarely detectable even after 3 years. Flat panels are an exception they need cleaning rain will wash most of the filth off panels but only if they are at an angle.

Regular cleaning of solar panels should prevent lichen growth from happening in the first place. In the uk the vast majority of domestic solar panel arrays don t need regular heavy duty cleaning thanks to the high levels of rainfall. Solar panel cleaning kits come in very handy for cleaning solar panels. You can include a solar panel cleaning as part of your spring cleaning routine.

Lichens will only grow where algae already exists therefore regular cleaning that prevents the. The photovoltaic cells that make up your solar panels will most likely be covered by a glass coating to protect them. Eventually it evaporates and leaves grime behind.