Commercial Solar Panel Cleaning: If you have solar panels on your commercial building, you likely already know the many benefits associated with them. But do you know how to properly clean them? First off, this job should be left to professionals, due to the delicate nature of the panels and the expertise needed to properly wash them.

Solar Panel Cleaning Paramus NJ

Regular solar panel cleaning is necessary in order to ensure peak performance. Everything from dirt and debris to sap and bird droppings can block your panels from fully receiving the sun’s UV rays, which leads to a reduction in how much energy your solar system can produce. Regular cleaning by experts is a cost-effective, fast and efficient way to restore optimal performance of your solar panels.

But there are certain challenges that come with power washing solar panels. Let’s explore those challenges here.

Pre-Cleaning Requirements

You can’t just take a pressure washer hose to the panels and clean them off. There are a few procedures that need to be done first, such as:

  • Inspect the panels to look for loose or broken wires, damaged panels, or malfunctioning equipment.
  • Make necessary repairs.
  • Trim back vegetation to prevent interference.

Ideal Timing

When scheduling commercial solar panel cleaning, you have to consider the time of day. The ideal time for cleaning is early in the day or in the evening when it’s cooler. This way, you can prevent any thermal stress that may be placed on the photovoltaic cells and protective glass; this stress can damage the panels.

Additionally, if you spray cold water on hot panels, such as during the afternoon on a sunny day, you can cause a micro fracture. On top of that, hot panels tend to evaporate water too fast, before the water solution can properly dissolve and remove contaminants.

Optimal Cleaning Solutions

Water by itself is not an effective cleaner for solar panels. Additives are necessary to enhance the cleaning power of water. Professional pressure washers know exactly which cleaning solutions to use that won’t shorten equipment life, damage the panels themselves or threaten the health of plants and shrubs surrounding the property. It’s wise to choose a low-toxicity, biodegradable product that works most effectively with deionized or pure water.

Additives must:

  • Be compatible with the solar panel films, aluminum rails, epoxy and racking.
  • Be approved by the solar panel manufacturer.
  • Must be biodegradable with no VOCs.
  • Have low toxicity for safety.
  • Be formulated to remove all contaminants, such as jet fuel residue, plant matter, dust and sand.
  • Be able to rinse off thoroughly with no residue or spots.

As you can see, there are many challenges involved in commercial solar panel cleaning. This is why you should leave this job up to the pros.

Contact Clearview Washing

If you are interested in scheduling solar panel cleaning for your commercial building, contact us today at 732-462-1187. Rest assured, we bring the required skills, tools and equipment needed to ensure spotless, clean commercial solar panels.