Going solar is an investment. Keeping your solar panels clean and well-maintained protects that investment. At Energy Solution Providers, we’ve spent the last 22 years helping homeowners understand the unique challenges and advantages of maintaining solar panels in Arizona's climate. We have put together a comprehensive guide that will walk you through the essentials of solar panel cleaning and maintenance, ensuring your system operates at peak efficiency for years to come.
What Type of Maintenance Do Solar Panels Need?
Solar panels are designed to be low-maintenance. With no moving parts, this renewable energy source stays in one place once it’s installed and doesn’t need to be tuned up as frequently as a mechanical system like your air conditioner. But like any investment, longevity and performance will benefit from some regular maintenance. This can include regular visual inspections and cleaning, keeping an eye on your energy production via solar monitoring, and professional solar panel service every 2 to 5 years.
Do Solar Panels Need to Be Cleaned?
In Arizona, dust, pollen, and bird droppings are common issues that can reduce the efficiency of your solar panels by blocking sunlight. Solar panel cleaning keeps grime like this from accumulating on your panels and reducing their output. Here’s what you can do to keep your panels clean:
1. Regular Visual Inspections
Inspect your solar panels at least once a month. Look for any visible dirt, debris, or damage. Regular inspections help you identify issues early, allowing you to address them before they impact your system's performance.
2. Cleaning Schedule
While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should clean your solar panels, factors such as panel angle, local climate, and nearby obstructions play a significant role. In Arizona, where dust and pollen are prevalent, we recommend cleaning your panels every 3 to 6 months.
3. Solar Panel Cleaning Techniques
- Water: If your solar panels are ground mounted (or if your roof is low enough), you can use a garden hose to gently spray water on the panels. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive materials that could scratch the panels.
- Avoid High Pressure: High-pressure water can damage the panels and their connections. Stick to a gentle spray.
- Safety First: If your panels are on the roof, prioritize safety. We highly recommend hiring professionals to handle the precautions necessary for safe solar panel cleaning and maintenance.
When Should You Schedule Solar Panel Repair?
While solar panel damage is a rare occurrence, you should schedule solar panel repair if you notice a decrease in energy production, experience damage from recent storms, or observe physical damage to the panels or system components. Other indicators that solar panels might be damaged include system errors or alerts from monitoring systems, or if it's been a few years since the last professional maintenance check-up. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent further damage and ensure optimal performance.
Solar Panel Maintenance in Arizona
Energy Solution Providers is the go-to solar company for professional maintenance and repair in Arizona. Our solar maintenance package includes regular check-ups every 2-5 years, thorough system troubleshooting, inverter and panel repairs, electrical wiring fixes, critter guard installations, and solar panel cleaning. We also offer 3G modem replacements for updated connectivity and coordinate safe removal and reinstallation of panels during roof repairs, as well as third-party inspections for reliable second opinions on your solar installations.