How to Maintain a Solar Panel

Whether a solar panel system is designed to generate heat for our homes or produce electricity, a properly functioning solar panel is an obvious requirement. Luckily, a well-designed and installed solar panel system is durable and simple in concept. In fact, the only part of a solar heating system that has any moving parts requiring maintenance is the pump. Plus, while earlier versions of solar panels were relatively fragile, solar panels are now constructed from strong unbreakable materials, so a solar panel itself requires minimal maintenance to continue doing its job. Essentially the only breakable part of a solar panel is the glass covering. Maintaining a solar panel is very straightforward; here's all that's necessary.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ladder to get to the solar panel
• Warm water and dishwashing soap
• Clean soft cloths

Maintaining Your Solar Panel

1. Inspect the solar panels on a periodic basis (frequency depends on location or the manufacturer's specifications) to remove any debris and dirt and ensure all connections are tight.

2. Panels installed in dusty areas may require more frequent inspection.

3. Clean the surface of a solar panel with warm water and dishwashing soap to remove any accumulation of dirt and grime.

4. Remove any bird droppings as well since they can severely reduce the panel's energy-producing capacity.

5. Cleaning a solar panel is not cosmetic. A panel needs to be clean for it to operate at its rated capacity.

Tips & Warnings

• Since solar panels have no moving parts, we might tend to ignore their maintenance. Not only do the panels themselves need regular cleaning, any framing around the panel should be cleaned as well. While a solar panel can theoretically function for 30 years or more, a frame that is allowed to deteriorate will dramatically shorten the panel's useful life.
• Solar panels are generally installed on roofs or other high places. Exercise caution when working above ground or near the top of a ladder.

[dirkyj]

on 10/27/2009 This company designed an automated cleaning system for your solar panels. Heres the link.

www.simplesolarcleaning.com

[scwindows]

on 3/29/2009 While the actual cleaning of the Solar Panel is often simple, accessing the panel often times proves to be a risky endeavor. Professional services such as window cleaners, are well equipped to handle to the task of roof mounted or other high solar panels. When doing any project, Safety should be your number one concern. We often clean the glass surface of solar panels using a device called a Water-Fed Pole. It hooks up to a standard hose, and filters the water so that there are no impurities. The poles can reach up to 60' and have a head with a synthetic brush that scrubs debris from the surface. The water sprays through the brush at at medium pressure to rinse the loose debris off. Once the water dries, there are no spot because the water is pure.Ryan Doliberwww.sparklingcleanmn.com

[greeneric1]

on 1/28/2009 I've used warm water and dishwasher soap to clean off dust and built up dirt. Just make sure you cool down the panel with warm water before you use soap. It leaves a nasty streak and haze. http://www.mygreenresources.org

[solargirl]

on 7/31/2008 There is a great commercial product for cleaning solar panels. PowerBoost, made by SolarFrameWorks:

http://www.solarframeworks.com/powerboost.html