How to Clean Your Portable Solar Panels: Complete Guide

Do you know want to know how to clean your portable solar panels? Then, you’re in the right place! Researchers found that solar panels that hadn’t been cleaned or rained on for 145 days during a drought lost 7.4% of their efficiency. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to clean solar panels efficiently and safely. By following these simple steps, you can keep your solar panels performing their best!

If you notice that your portable solar panels are not working as well as they used to, the first thing you should do is check if they are dirty. If there are heavy deposits of dust or dirt on top of the panel, this could be why they aren’t working as well as they should be. It is important to clean your solar panels regularly so that they continue working efficiently.

Key Takeaways

Your portable solar panel will lose power more quickly when exposed to sunlight the more dust there is on its surface.
If you don’t frequently clean your portable solar panel, it could experience major issues including overheating and damage from sunlight.
You do not want to use any cleaning solution or method that could damage the panels.

Why do you need to clean your portable solar panel

It’s important to clean your portable solar panel regularly. Cleaning will not only make sure that the panel continues to function well, but it can also help your solar panel last longer.

The main reason you need to clean your portable solar panel is to prevent dust accumulation which can reduce power output. The more dust on the surface of your portable solar panel, the more power it will lose when exposed to sunlight. If you don’t clean your portable solar panel regularly, it could lead to serious problems such as overheating and damage from sunlight exposure.

Another reason you should clean your portable solar panel is so that it looks good. A dirty portable solar panel is less attractive than one that is clean and shiny. You may want to show off your new purchase or share photos of it on social media sites like Facebook or Instagram. When someone sees a dirty portable solar panel in these photos, they may think twice about buying one for themselves because they don’t want their own panels looking like this after just a few months of use!

It’s also important to note that if you have any leaks or stains on your portable solar panel, these can become permanent marks if they aren’t cleaned off right away.

When it is the right time to clean the solar panel

The best time to clean your solar panels is early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or on days when there is a high chance of clouds. This is because the panels will not get as dirty when it’s cloudy, and the water and cleaning agents will evaporate more slowly.

How Often Should You Clean Your Solar Panels?

It is advised that solar panels be cleaned anywhere from once every six months to once every year to preserve the panels’ levels of productivity, efficiency, and efficacy. On the other hand, the need for cleaning may arise more frequently depending on the quantity of dirt and pollution in the area in which you live.

Tips before cleaning your portable solar panel

It is important to maintain your portable solar panel so you can use it for as long as possible. If you take care of your portable solar panel, it will last longer and its performance will be better. There are several things that you can do to clean your portable solar panel.

Before starting the cleaning process, there are a few things you should do to prepare:

Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Some manufacturers have specific instructions for cleaning their solar panels, and it is important to follow these so that you don’t damage your panel.
Gather all of the supplies you will need. This includes a soft cloth or brush, water, and a ladder if necessary.
Turn off the power to your solar panel. This is an important safety precaution that you should not skip!
Cover any exposed electrical wires with tape so that they don’t get wet during the cleaning process.

Things to avoid when cleaning solar panels

There are a few things you should avoid when cleaning your solar panels:

Harsh soaps such as strong detergents or soaps that contain chemicals can be corrosive to the solar panel unit’s surface.
Rough cleaning instruments such as abrasive cloths and sponges, or heavily toothed brooms, as these, can scratch the surface of your panels.
Using a pressure washer on your solar panels as this could damage the seals around the edges of the panel.
Never stand on your solar panels. You could permanently deform or even crack the glass in your panels.
Pick a day when it’s not too hot to climb up on your roof and clean it, as roofs typically retain a lot of heat, which can make your job a lot more challenging.

What equipment do you need for cleaning the portable solar panels?

When you are ready to clean your portable solar panels, there are some important things you should keep in mind. First and foremost, remember that the goal of cleaning your portable solar panels is to keep them operating at their maximum efficiency. You do not want to use any cleaning solution or method that could damage the panels.

If you have a small portable solar panel system, such as one that fits on a backpack, you may be able to clean panels with just water and a cloth. However, most people will need to use more specialized equipment for cleaning larger portable solar panels.

To clean your portable solar panels properly, you need a few tools and supplies on hand. Here is what we recommend:

Warm water

It is preferable to use ambient temperature water when cleaning Portable Solar Panels. Too cold or too warm water can damage the solar panels and make them less efficient.

Soft cloths

You can use paper towels or rags made from cotton or linen fabric rather than synthetic materials like polyester or nylon because these materials tend to scratch surfaces easily when used for cleaning.

Bucket

A small bucket is all you need for this job. If you have a large portable solar panel system, then you may just use a water hose.

Water hose

If you have a large portable solar panel system, then you will need a water hose to rinse off the soap after cleaning. A garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment works well for this purpose.

Ladder

You will need a ladder if your portable solar panels are not within reach from the ground. Be sure to use a ladder that is tall enough and stable enough to support your weight.

Now that you have gathered all the necessary supplies, you are ready to start cleaning your portable solar panels!

List of Maintenance steps for cleaning the solar panels

Cleaning the solar panels is an important part of keeping them working properly. Your solar system is a large investment and it will pay to take good care of it. Below are some general steps that you can use to clean your solar panels.

Never clean with an abrasive sponge or soap

If you want to avoid scratching the glass on your solar panels, you should never clean them with an abrasive sponge or soap. Using a gentle cloth or a soap that decomposes naturally is the most effective approach to cleaning solar panels.

Use a hose

If you clean the panels regularly, you might be able to get rid of any dirt by just running a hose down them.

Check it regularly

Always keep a close eye out for dirt on the solar panels to make sure that it doesn’t build up, as clean solar panels are better able to take in sunlight than dirty ones.

Here’s One Final Bonus Solar Panel Maintenance Tip

Pro tip: Never use soap to clean dirty solar panels

Solar panels are delicate and can be easily damaged by cleaning with soap. Because of their delicate nature, you’ll want to avoid using soap or detergent when cleaning solar panels.

If you have a large collection of dirty panels, you can use a soft bristle brush or cloth to wipe off the dirt from the surface of the panels. However, if there is more than just dirt on your solar panels, it’s best to leave them alone until you’ve had time to clean them thoroughly.

Additionally, you should keep in mind that Solar Power World has found that they can clean panels without soap by using deionized water and a rolling or car brush. Soap tends to leave stains not only shades panels but attracts dirt.

You should always remember that your solar system is an investment that requires maintenance and upkeep. If you don’t take care of your solar panels properly, they could break down prematurely and even become dangerous for anyone who uses them.

Now you know how to clean your portable solar panels so they can continue to provide power for your needs.

How to Clean Your Portable Solar Panels FAQ

If you want to get the most out of your solar panels, it’s important to clean them regularly. Cleaning your solar panels will help keep them functioning efficiently and maximize their output. Here are some frequently asked questions about cleaning portable solar panels:

How to gauge when it’s time to clean solar panels

The most obvious way to tell when solar panels need cleaning is when the efficiency of the system begins to decline. Pollution is typically higher during the winter when cold air traps pollutants closer to the ground than the warmer air of summer.

If you are in a place where it’s dusty than usual, for example, if you are located in the middle east, you will need more frequent cleaning.

Do solar panels get cleaned by the rain?

Rainwater will provide a minimal rinse-off of any loose dirt or dust. Rainwater runoff, however, will not remove the baked-in dirt or remove algae, moss, or lichen growth.

Is Cleaning solar panels worth the effort?

Solar panel wash helps water lifts off the dirt.

The answer is: Yes, but it depends. If you live in an area with a lot of dust or pollen, then you will probably need to clean your panels more often. On the other hand, if you live in an area with relatively clean air, you may not need to clean your panels as often.

According to tests conducted by Ontario Solar Installers, a little bit of dust may have no effect because light can still get through. They suggest that you should allow nature to take its course because rain will typically clean your solar panels.

But on the other hand, one company did a test and found that the drop in efficiency is small, maybe 5 percent or less. And if you have a typical 5 kW system, this could cause your energy bill to go up by about $20. Another company found that giving the panels a good clean made them 3.5% more efficient.

So, in the end, it’s up to you to decide if you want to clean your solar panel or not, but we suggest that you do. It’s a small investment of time and effort that will pay off handsomely over the years.

Can you use vinegar to clean solar panels

Vinegar is an effective cleaner for removing dust off solar panels, and can be utilized for this purpose. This naturally occurring chemical contains acetic acid that is strong enough to remove stubborn dirt without harming solar panels, making it a perfect cleaning agent. If at all possible, white vinegar and de-ionized water should be used to produce the greatest results.

How do you keep a small solar panel clean

The best way to clean solar panels is with a soft cloth or soap that breaks down over time. When cleaning solar panels, you shouldn’t use harsh materials because they could cause damage, and fixing solar panels is expensive. If you wash frequently, you might well be able to get rid of dirt by just running a hose along the panels.

Conclusion

Whether you’re just getting started with your solar energy system, or you’ve already got panels installed in your home, cleaning is an important part of taking care of your new solar energy system. It’s also a bit of a challenge if you don’t know what you’re doing! That’s what this guide was designed to help you with: making sure that you know how to fix problems that arise with solar panel cleaning in the best way possible.