Solar panels are a great way to harness the sun’s energy to power a home or other structure. Once solar panels are installed, overall electricity costs can be greatly reduced. One thing about solar panels is often overlooked: they require maintenance and care. Cleaning solar panels can not be neglected, if maximum power output is to be achieved.
There are four common types of solar panels. All of them contain some combination of metal and silicon in their construction. The first type is the monocrystalline silicon panel. This panel type is made from one continuous flat piece of silicon, with pieces of metal nailed to the edges to increase conductivity. In this case, one large panel might cover a home’s roof. This is the most expensive type of panel, but also the most efficient, with an electricity return rate of fourteen to eighteen percent.
The second type is the polycrystalline silicon panel. This type of solar panel is made up of many individual cells, with metal pieces attached for increased conductivity and electron excitement. The electricity return rate on these panels is slightly lower, at twelve to fourteen percent, than the monocrystalline silicon panel type. However, unlike the monocrystalline type, if a cell is damaged, only that one has to be replaced, rather than a whole panel. Polycrystalline panels are also cheaper to purchase and maintain.
The third type is the string ribbon silicon panel. These consist of strips of silicon that are attached to metal bars, connecting the strips in a grid like manner to form a cell. This type of construction lowers the production costs a bit below the polycrystalline panel type, but the electricity return rate is about the same, around twelve to fourteen percent.
The last type is the amorphous silicon panel. These panels are not made with solid or crystalline silicon as the others are. They are comprised of a semi-conductive metal, such as copper, and a thin, flexible silicon film placed on top. This is then attached to additional metal pieces. The amorphous silicon panel is cheap to produce, but does not work as well as the others. The electricity return rate on this panel type is only five to six percent, well below the other panels. So amorphous silicon panels lack the long term efficiency to power a structure that uses average or above average amounts of electricity.
Because solar panels are left outdoors and exposed to the elements, they can be expected to collect a lot of dirt, dust, and debris over time, including the obvious: bird droppings. Dirty solar panels don’t work as well at producing power, as the debris block the sunlight necessary for this process. Cleaning solar panels is an integral part of maintaining them.
Once the type of solar panel is determined, the first step in the cleaning process is to consult the manufacturers’ instructions before doing anything. This will prevent damage to the panels’ components. For example, one manufacturer produces its own special solution for cleaning solar panels it manufactures.
In general, unless stated otherwise by the manufacturers’ instructions, cleaning solar panels is as simple as washing them with a solution of mild soap and water, using a soft sponge or cloth. a bit of scrubbing may be required to get rid of stuck on grime, but be gentle. A homemade solution of glass cleaner, containing two cups of water, a quarter of a cup of vinegar, and a half teaspoon of soap can also be used to leave the panel surface clean and streak free.
Once all the dirt and buildup are removed, the panel should be dried. It is best to use a lint free, non abrasive towel to do this, to avoid leaving behind lint, or damaging the panel surface with scratches. Once the panels have been thoroughly cleaned and dried, they should return to their normal efficiency.
No matter what type of solar panel is in use, keeping the panels clean is an important step in maintaining their electricity return rate, and the cost savings they provide. Remember, these are general cleaning tips that may or may not fit a particular brand and type of panel, so be sure to consult the manual, or the manufacturer, before beginning the cleaning process.