'It’s best to approach cleaning your solar panels as you would approach cleaning your car,' according to Jon. 'If water alone isn’t enough to clean the panels properly, use a mild soap solution (dishwashing liquid or a mild solar panel cleaning solution) mixed with water.' This will help to remove any dirt, debris or even bird mess.
Any leftover water or soap stains can be prevented by air dying the panels. When cleaning solar panels, you should consider doing so while staying on the ground as it is much safer. You can use a hosepipe equipped with a suitable nozzle to accurately direct water onto the panels without having to climb up on the roof.
Trim any overhanging branches or foliage, and consider repositioning panels if shading is a persistent issue. Step 1: Assess the situation: Evaluate the condition of your solar panels to determine the extent of cleaning needed. Look for visible dirt, dust, bird droppings, nests, leaves, or other obstructions.
Early morning can be a particularly good time as the panels will have cooled overnight and morning dew can help to soften any grime leading to less water and effort to clean the panels. If the panels are dry, use the soft brush to brush any loose dirt before tackling the panels with water.
Vinegar is a great cleaning agent for solar panels because it contains acetic acid, which is very capable of breaking down tough stains, dirt and grease. It is also readily available and any vinegar will do although the best type to use is white cleaning vinegar.
Summer is still possible to clean solar panels but is less than ideal. This is because using a hose pipe to spray cold water on the panels in hot weather may potentially damage them, so on these occasions it is best to do this in the early morning or in the evening.