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Should You Have Your Solar Panels Professionally Cleaned?

We have previously commented on the cleaning of solar panels back in March of this year but a recent study carried out by a number of engineers based at the University of California in San Diego makes for interesting reading. The findings may prompt professional solar panel cleaners to have something to say on the matter.

Is it financially worth having your solar panels professionally cleaned?
(image credit: ilovememphis)

The conclusion made was that, in most instances, it wasn’t financially viable to hire and pay someone to professionally clean the solar panels on your roof. The research revealed that, during a period of 145 days of drought in the summer months in California, in respect of solar panels that had not been subject to any rain landing on them or being cleaned that their efficiency was reduced by 7.4%. Furthermore, in respect of a 5-kilowatt solar power system on a residential property, if the panels were washed midway through the summer period there would only be a $20 improvement in electrical output until the end of the period of drought in approximately two and a half months time.

Larger financial losses were found with big commercial roof-sited solar panels but it was not very often that this justified the expense of cleaning the solar panels. The average drop in efficiency was around 0.05% each day. However, it was pointed out by one of those people involved in the research that in extremely big commercial installations cleaning the solar panels may be justified.

Interestingly, those solar panels that were installed at an angle of under 5 degrees were less efficient than those fitted with a steeper angle. This is, quite simply, because the steeper the angle the more likely dirt will fall off the solar panels. Particular reference was made to bird droppings as these do not wash away as a result of rainfall and they block the sunlight. Therefore, they should be removed.

The research did suggest that if solar panels were located near places that are renowned for generating a lot of dirt such as near a factory or road they could justify being cleaned.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

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