Over time, dust, dirt, bird droppings, pollen, and other debris, and even lichen, will accumulate. This buildup blocks sunlight from reaching the solar panels, thereby reducing electricity generation. What's more, panels installed at a low angle are more prone to dirt accumulation than those installed at a steep angle. The severity of panel contamination can cause a reduction in power output ranging from 3% to 25%. Therefore, cleaning solar panels is crucial for ensuring their long-term performance.
Regular cleaning of solar panels enables them to absorb sunlight more efficiently, thereby increasing electricity generation. According to many statistics, it can lead to an improvement of up to 21% in residential solar panel arrays and up to 60% in commercial facilities.
Accumulated dirt, lichen, and other debris can cause hot spots. Hot spots occur when a solar panel is shaded, preventing the current from flowing around the cells. Eventually, the current concentrates on the cells, causing them to overheat. Regular cleaning helps alleviate this situation, protects the integrity of the solar panels, and extends their service life.
Solar panels are expensive, and installing them costs a significant amount of money. Therefore, regularly cleaning the stains, lichen, and other debris from solar panels and promptly identifying potential issues can reduce the need for large-scale and costly maintenance, thereby lowering the overall maintenance costs.
No one likes to have an old, dusty solar panel on their roof, so it is essential that well-maintained solar panels have a more attractive appearance.
