Do Solar Panels Need Cleaning Uk

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.

Do solar panels need cleaning uk.

Solar panels in the uk cleaning tips for solar panel cleaning. 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. There are some times it might make sense to clean your solar panels though. Regular cleaning of solar panels should prevent lichen growth from happening in the first place.

It is very important to keep solar panels clean to ensure they produce the most electricity they possibly can. The photovoltaic cells that make up your solar panels will most likely be covered by a glass coating to protect them. So the dirtier this coating becomes the less efficient the solar panel will be. You can include a solar panel cleaning as part of your spring cleaning routine.

When to clean solar panels. 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. 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. Wait do solar panels need cleaning yes yes they do.

Lichens will only grow where algae already exists therefore regular cleaning that prevents the. When solar panels lie flat water can pool on them and have nowhere to go. Luckily because solar panels have no moving parts that could be affected by rust or break down solar power maintenance may not be needed. After all anything that accumulates dirt on them for example dust or pollen will get washed off the next time it rains.

At the very least you should do an annual cleaning of your panels. This tends to result in a 3 to 5 increase in efficiency. Generally in the uk unless your solar panels have bird droppings on them you shouldn t need to clean your solar panels. This is not an expensive process but it can be dangerous if attempted by yourselves as clearly the panels are live.

However if you are in doubt do ask us to have a look at your generation figures taking in to account weather variations. 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. Solar panel cleaning kits come in very handy for cleaning solar panels.

Inside the kit you will find a biodegradable soap a wiper and a small brush or brush with a longer handle. Eventually it evaporates and leaves grime behind. In most cases you won t need to clean your solar panels often if at all.