In Australia, the interest for the use of solar powered systems has grown tremendously and the use of solar panels for reducing the costs for electricity while also minimising the negative effects on the ecosystem has become increasingly popular. Customers and clients often fail to realise the importance of getting the solar panels cleaned. Over time, dirt, excrement, and trash can obstruct functionality and remains a major issue. Hiring a professional solar panel cleaning service is essential in this case to ensure maximum efficiency and long-term performance.
Importance of solar panel cleaning
When I decided to install solar panels in my home, I thought the rain would take care of the cleaning for me. At the beginning, this is what I assumed happened. After reviewing my energy production data, the bar chart showed a drop over a few months. I thought the situation was strange and decided to get the panels checked professionally. I found out that I had not cleaned the panels for a really long time and that is what was blocking the sun. After getting the panels cleaned, my system’s output increased.
Dirty solar panels decrease efficiency by 15 to 25 percent. This is a truth and over time can cause financial implications. Professional solar cleaning services increase durability by preventing damage caused by solar panel corrosion.
Why opt for professional solar panel cleaners
Many homeowners try to clean solar panels themselves, but this can turn out to be more dangerous and ineffective. Walking on roofs without any harnessing system can lead to ridiculous falls, while using non neutral cleaners, can be dangerous to the panels protective screen. They in turn then use solar panels with tools specific to their needs, clean with purifiers, and use protective paneling for their more careful use.
It was, in my experience, worth every hiring cost, for the simple fact that the more money the company paid, the higher the efficiency, with the added bonus, of collection in wear and tear, or micro crack detection, that I easily missed. Missing out on this meant I saved on future repairs.
How Often Should They Be Cleaned?
The vicinity in which the panels are placed, determines the amount of work that needs to put in to clean the panels. Within the city, the rising pollution, along with the increasing surrounding dust, means more solar panel cleaning to be done, while outside of the city around the ocean, salt spray, along with some bird droppings are clean and need to be done. In general, the consensus among most is that solar panels dirty sooner need more than once, and can be scheduled at more than once a year. In some more dusty and high pollution areas, cleaners can work on the solar panels every three months.
I have also noticed decreased performance because of seasonal dust build up. To remedy this drop in performance, I added a routine scrubbing. Under this, I have available solar panels as close to their peak performance year-round.
Cost of Solar Panel Cleaning in Australia
On average, solar panel cleaning service in Australia charge between 100 to 300 per solar panel system. This is largely dependent on the services provided, the level of the roof, the size of the panels and everything remote. More often than not, the price quotations provided would tell you more value. If services offer you more value than a price, it is worth considering because it tends to save you more money in the long run.
To put it simply, It is no-brainer that the money used towards scrubbing solar panels is more than made up by the saved electricity costs, and then some.
Extra Benefits
Improving efficiency and performance aside, a solar panel cleaning company also saves you potential long term damage by maintaining the panels. Not only do solar panels work better and more efficiently, clean panels also enhance the overall aesthetic of the property; this feature is particularly desirable for businesses.
There is also the more tedious adherence to badges warranties that some folks overlook. Many solar panel warranties come with the stipulation that the owner keeps track of serviced maintenance to claim the warranty. Professional panel cleaning is easily logged, meaning you won’t have to think about it and you shall still keep the warranty.
Safety considerations
Working on roofs can be very risky, more so when it involves water and other slippery surfaces. Cleaners are trained to deal with such risks by using safety equipment such as safety harnesses as well as other equipment to control risks. They also ensure they do not clean the panels to avoid injuries or damage.
When I opted to clean the panels on my own, I, however, found it extremely difficult to ignore the safety risks the steep roof posed. In this case, their work not only removed the risk, but also instilled confidence that the work was well done.
FAQs About Solar Cleaner Services
Does the rain wash solar panels?
Rain helps remove some dust that settles on the surface of the panels, but it does not dislodge stubborn grime, bird droppings, and other forms of pollution, due to their more permanent nature. These all necessitate the use of professional cleaning.
Can dirty solar panels really affect energy production?
Yes, research indicates that solar panels covered in dirt and other debris will be unable to function at their peak. In the worst of cases, such panels can lose up to 25% of their operational efficiency.
Is a solar panel cleaning service expensive?
The costs associated with cleaning solar panels are relatively low, especially when compared to the gains the cleaned panels will be able to generate in energy efficiency or erosion from expensive damages.
How do professionals clean solar panels safely?
Soft brushes, purified water, and other safety equipment such as harnesses are employed to ensure that there is no damage to the panels nor risk to the cleaners.
