Cleaning Your Solar Panels Saves You Money!

Solar panels are generally self cleaning, but in particularly dry months and summers, or where panel tilt is minimal, dust and other substances such as bird droppings can build up over time and impact on the amount electricity generated by a module. Grime and bird poop doesn't need to cover an entire panel to have an effect. Even something the size of an inch across can have a detrimental effect on your electrical generation.

Photo Credit: Len Matthews

Tips for cleaning solar panel glass

Safety first - follow the procedure in your manual for shutting down the system before commencing cleaning.

For safety reasons, it's also wise to clean your panels from the ground if possible. A good quality soft brush and a squeegee with a plastic blade on one side and a cloth covered sponge on the other coupled with a long extension can make for the perfect tools allowing you to stay on the ground. Use a hose with a suitable nozzle to allow the stream of water to reach the panels.

   

NOTE: If cleaning your panels from the ground is not possible, do not attempt to access your rooftop unless you have the appropriate safety equipment and training. If you don't; hire a suitably qualified professional instead. Although we are combating this by developing our own type of solar panel cleaning product, with chemicals specially designed for maximum output for your solar panels and a long extension rod to get to those high to reach places, 25-30 footers this means you won't have to be forking out, paying for the clean up when you can do it yourself easily in 10 minutes!

Photo Credit: Jesse Wagstaff

TOP TIP: Clean your panels on an overcast day, early in the morning or in the evening. If the sun is beating down on the panels, any water used can quickly evaporate and dirt will become smeared. 

Early morning can be a particularly good time for cleaning as dew that has settled on the panels overnight will likely have softened grime; meaning you'll need to use less water and less energy to clean your solar panels.If the panels are dry, before tackling the modules with water, brush off any loose materials first - this will make cleaning easier and faster. Don't use metal objects or harsh abrasive products for removing caked on materials - scratching the glass on a solar panel can affect its performance as scratches will cast shadows. Avoid using detergents if possible as these may streak the glass of the panel. Use of abrasive powders also risks scratching the panels.  

Given the nature of good quality solar panel glass, clean water and a little scrubbing with a coarse cloth covered sponge or soft brush should remove the most stubborn grime.  Plastic scourers may also be used.

If your mains-supplied water is hard (mineral-rich) and rainwater is available; use that as a final rinse; then squeegee dry. If hard water is all you have, just be sure to squeegee well as mineral-ladened water can form deposits on glass as it dries.

  

Dealing with oily stains

Oily stains can occur in some installation scenarios, such as if you live near an airport and are under a flight path or if you live adjacent to and downwind of a major roadway frequented by trucks. If oily stains start appearing on your panels; isopropyl alcohol can be used as a spot-cleaning substance.

Photo Credit: Brlan Kusler

The final word on solar panel cleaning

The old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies - in most residential installation scenarios, solar panel cleaning just isn't worth the bother - or the potential danger if accessing your rooftop. Unless dirt is clearly visible or performance is noticeably impacted; simply let nature do the job for you

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

How to make your home look great this Summer

This has been yet another, harsh and dragged out British winter. The cold has shrivelled us to chittering wrecks, and sun seems like a distant memory. But, we must live in hope that Spring really is just around the corner…

Testing weather has a dramatic effect on our homes, and there really is no better time to deal with any issues than in the Spring. So here are our top ten indoor and top ten outdoor tips on how to shake off the cobwebs and prepare your home for spring/summer, 2014.

Interior: 

1. It may sound cliché, but having an annual de-clutter really will leave you with not on more space, but a more tranquil mindset-nothing clears your head like clearing your home.
2. Clean your windows inside and out.
3. Clean fireplaces after extensive winter use.
4. Replace dirty or missing grout in your bathrooms.
5. Clean your kitchen thoroughly. We all tend to cook more in winter-hearty soups and delicious one pot wonders. But they tend to bubble over and leave stains on hobs and in the oven, so now is the time to have an intense scrub.
6. Embrace the warmer weather by opening windows and doors to allow some fresh air to enter your home and to get rid of any lingering odours.
7. Review your heating system after heavy winter usage.
8. If you have an air conditioning system, check that it is working before the sun starts to shine.
9. Test your fire alarms to see if they are working properly.
10. Either paint your walls in fresh, neutral colours to match this year’s spring trend. Alternatively, add some pastel coloured accessories which will inject some spring life into your home. Cushions, vases, photo frames and bed linen can all be changed, without costing the earth.