Are you wondering if it’s worth it to clean your solar panels and hire a service to do so? The answer is a definite YES!
Why do solar panels need cleaning?
Dirt, pollen, bird droppings, and grime all collect on your solar panels. You may think your solar panels will be cleaned by the rain, but that is generally not true. Think about it this way, do your house windows end up sparkling clean after it rains?
Efficiency
All that dirt on solar panels makes them less efficient, and cleaning them fixes that. The increase in energy production after cleaning is debated, but some experts say a cleaning can make them 30% more efficient.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
One reason to clean your solar panels, is that not doing so might void your warranty. Some manufacturers require annual or twice annual cleanings. If you need to make a warranty claim, you may have to prove that you’ve done those cleanings. Check your warranty to see if this applies to you.
Do it yourself, or hire a solar panel cleaning service?
Now that you know the benefits of cleaning, the question becomes to do it yourself or hire a service?
Risks
Aside from the general risks of getting on your roof, there is also a risk of electrocution if the cleaning is done wrong. Because of that it makes sense to hire a professional solar cleaning service.
Doing it yourself
If you do decide to do it yourself, check the manufacturer’s directions first.