- Solar panel cleaning costs around £4-£15 per panel
- Manufacturers generally recommend that you clean your solar panels twice per year
- Solar panels have a lifespan of around 25 years
Solar panels have a lifespan of around 25 years, but they can last longer, if you keep them well maintained and clean. This will help them work as efficiently as possible.
Your maintenance tasks should include annual servicing and removing debris where possible, which can be achieved through proper cleaning.
Across this guide, we’ll explore the best ways to clean your solar panels, explaining the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of solar panel cleaning. We also cover a breakdown of costs of a professionally clean.
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How to clean your solar panels
We wouldn’t recommend climbing on your roof yourself to clean solar panels, as that can be extremely dangerous. To do that, you need to have been trained to work on a sloped surface, several metres up in the air, next to expensive, breakable solar panels.
If your solar panels are on the roof, clean them from the ground. Get a hose, a steady stream of water, then take aim.
You can then wipe off this cleansing stream with a squeegee.
Make sure your squeegee has a plastic blade on one side, and a non-abrasive sponge on the other – and of course, it needs to come with a lengthy extension, so you can reach the panels.
If there’s no way you can reach the roof, get an expert to do the job for you. It’ll be worth it.
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But if you’re trained, here are our biggest top tips:
- Turn off your solar panels before cleaning – Most manufacturers recommend doing this to help eliminate the risk of you being electrocuted. You can find instructions on how to do this in your manual.
- Use soapy water – it won’t require as much scrubbing and you’re less likely to break them.
- Wipe with a non-abrasive sponge to avoid scratches – No-one wants scratches on solar panels and they’re easy to make if you don’t use the right equipment.
- Do not clean the wiring underneath – This can damage your solar panels and cost a lot of money to fix.
- Early in the day is ideal – This is because dew will soften the grime on your solar panels and make them easier to clean.
- Clean your panels from the ground – We’ve mentioned how dangerous it is climbing on your roof untrained, as you could fall and seriously hurt yourself, but it could also damage your solar panels.
- If you can’t clean them from the ground, hire a professional – We don’t want you to get hurt, so instead, consider researching professionals who can help.
- Avoid pressure washing your solar panels – There’s a risk the high pressure will scratch or damage your solar panels, so avoid this as much as you can. The best way to clean them is gently, with a non abrasive sponge and soapy water. But you can use a hose if your solar panels are low enough for the hose to reach them. Just make sure not to use high pressure water.
Yes, most manufacturers recommend that you turn off your solar panel system before cleaning it. This is less to protect the panels and more to eliminate the risk that you might be electrocuted. You can find instructions on how to turn off your solar panel system in the manual you should have received from your installer. This will also include instructions on how to turn it back on.
Why do you need to clean your solar panels?
You want your panels to be spotless, as it keeps them working at full strength, which will lead to more savings, making the upfront cost of the solar panels worth it.
But the rain will clean them, surely? Unfortunately, no. Rain may wipe away some of the dust and debris, but your panels need a proper clean – particularly as your solar energy generation is only as strong as your weakest cell, if you’re using a string inverter.
If you abandon your panels to the ways and whims of nature, they’ll end up defaced and blighted by leaves, dust, pollen, and other particulate matter – not to mention bird droppings. Even the best solar panels on the market won’t be able to power your home efficiently with bird droppings all over them.
That’s because dust and other debris prevent your panels from receiving as much direct sunlight. In fact, dust and particulate matter can reduce a solar array’s production by as much as 25%, according to the American Chemical Society.
Dirty solar panels will also look bad to you and your neighbours, and feel worse – especially when you receive your energy bill.
The occasional clean will keep your solar array looking wonderful, and working at peak efficiency.
If you want an eco-friendly roof that’s supposed to have animals on it, why not consider a green roof?
No you shouldn’t pressure wash solar panels. This is because there’s a risk the high pressure could scratch or damage them. The best way to clean solar panels is to do so gently with a non-abrasive sponge and soapy water.
How much does it cost to clean your solar panels?
Solar panel cleaning costs around £4-£15 per panel, according to CheckATrade. However, these will be impacted by various factors.
The biggest price influence is the location of your solar panels. The higher the panels, the more expensive they will be to clean. CheckATrade says that to clean a bank of 40 solar panels on the ground floor will start at around £80, but anything above one storey will be around £225.
The difference in price will cover the requirement and training that’s required to safely clean any solar panels above the ground. Ask for a price list from a few professional cleaners so you know exactly what you’re being charged for.
Yes, you can clean your solar panels with a regular garden hose if they are low enough for you to reach them with it. Just make sure not to use high pressure water, since this might damage the solar panels.
How often should you clean your solar panels?
Manufacturers generally recommend that you clean your solar panels twice per year.
If that’s beyond you, that’s fine – but your panels will usually still need to be cleaned every couple of years.
If you wash them at the beginning of summer, you’ll ensure you have a fully functioning solar array for the peak solar season.
You’ll also maintain the advantage that you gain over other properties the moment you go solar. After all, 65% of people are likely or very likely to buy or rent a property with solar panels on it, according to our National Home Energy Survey.
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Summary
- Your maintenance tasks should include annual servicing and removing debris where possible, which can be achieved through proper cleaning.
- We wouldn’t recommend climbing on your roof yourself to clean solar panels, as that can be an accident waiting to happen. To do it, you need to have been trained to work on a sloped surface, several metres up in the air, next to expensive, breakable solar panels
- Make sure your squeegee has a plastic blade on one side, and a non-abrasive sponge on the other – and of course, it needs to come with a lengthy extension, so you can reach the panels.
- If you abandon your panels to the ways and whims of nature, they’ll end up defaced and blighted by leaves, dust, pollen, and other particulate matter – not to mention bird droppings.
- Solar panel cleaning costs around £4-£15 per panel, according to CheckATrade. However, these will be impacted by various factors.
- Manufacturers generally recommend that you clean your solar panels twice per year.
Thinking about installing solar panels?
Use the button below to hear from our trusted suppliers about installing solar panels. All quotes are free and there's no obligation to use them.
