Generally speaking, the service life of solar panels is up to 30 years or more, during which time there is not much to maintain, but regular cleaning is required. Correct maintenance methods and regular cleaning of solar panels to improve the absorption of solar panels on the sunroom, at least 20% of the solar power generation can be increased, but also can extend the lifespan of solar panels. Especially in some areas with frequent sandy weather is more important.
How Often do Solar Panels Need to Be Cleaned?
Generally speaking, the number of times a year the solar panels are cleaned is affected by climate, environment, the number of dusty weather, rainfall frequency and other factors, dusty weather, less rainfall, poor air quality in the region need to increase the number of times of cleaning. Usually it is recommended to clean the solar panels once in spring and once at the end of fall. Also usually pay more attention to the observation of the surface of the solar panel cleanliness, if there is the accumulation of stains to be cleaned up in a timely manner.
The Best Time and Weather for Solar Panel Cleaning
Morning and evening are the best cleaning time for solar panels, because the surface temperature of solar panels is not high at this time. If it is cleaned in the middle of the day, the surface may not be clean, the water evaporates too quickly, and there is easy to have the residue of stains on the surface of the solar panels to form spots.
Choose cloudy or cool weather to clean solar panels, the cleaning effect is better.
How to Clean Solar Panels?
1. Manual washing
Workers use mops, rags, cleaning cloths, brushes, etc. to clean solar panels, which is cheaper but less efficient. Some home users who have a small number of solar panels can clean them in this way with low cost.
2. Workers operate semi-automatic equipment
This is a more common cleaning method, the use of high-pressure water flow, spray cleaning agent and rotating brush will automatically clean the photovoltaic panels, workers only need to guide the direction and traction equipment. This method is more labor-saving, cleaning effect is also good.
3. Solar cleaning robot
The solar cleaning robot can first set the area to be cleaned, and then it will automatically complete the entire cleaning process. It can also be operated by remote control. Save labor costs and save water at the same time. But the price is also relatively high.
4. Solar cleaning car
This cleaning method is faster and more efficient, but the equipment is relatively large and bulky, and is generally mainly used in large-scale solar power plants.
Costs of Solar Panel Cleaning
An average worker can clean about 800~1000 square feet of solar panels per day, you can calculate the required labor cost according to the local worker cost. You also need to calculate the cost of water used in the cleaning process and the cost of cleaning equipment.
Precautions when Cleaning Solar Panels
1. The surface of the solar panel is protected by hard glass, so it can be cleaned without worry.
2. When cleaning the solar panels, you cannot step on the solar panels, although the surface of the solar panels is very recommended not to be stepped on, but after stepping on the solar panels, there is a possibility of hidden cracks in the battery cells, which is very harmful to the solar panels.
3. When cleaning solar panels, be sure to turn off the solar system and confirm the safety of personnel.
4. solar power station in the occurrence of DC insulation failure or other faults can not be cleaned on the solar panel, need to solve the problem first.
What Items are Routinely Inspected and Maintained on Solar Panels?
1. Check the solar panels for breakage and hot spots. If there is, you need to replace the solar panel with a new one in time.
2. Check the surface of the solar panel for bird droppings, stains.
3. Check whether the screws of the solar bracket are loose and rusty.
4. Check whether the cables of solar panels are soft and broken.
5. Check whether the solar MC4 connector is loose.
6. Check whether the solar convergence box and circuit breaker have heat phenomenon, and whether there is the possibility of water leakage in rainy days.
7. Check whether there are objects above the solar panels that block the sunlight from the solar panels
8. Check the height of flowers and plants near the solar panels to avoid exceeding the height of the solar panels.
9. Check whether the solar panels are stable in windy conditions
10. Check that there is no prolonged accumulation of snow on the surface of the solar panels on snowy days.
11. Check whether there are small animals entering the convergence box or solar inverter
12. Record the results and time of each inspection.