Solar panels are quickly becoming the go-to method for power generation in the United States, with six percent of homeowners investing in solar energy systems for their homes. It’s a powerful way to reduce or eliminate your carbon footprint and energy bills. Best of all, you can use government incentives to lower the total cost of your residential solar system.
Getting your panels installed is exciting, but with great (solar) power comes great responsibility. As the Prime Realty Management team says, one of your new responsibilities as a homeowner is cleaning solar panels. A solar panel cleaning brush is an essential piece of equipment you should purchase when learning how to clean solar panels for your home.
Fortunately, you’re in the perfect spot to learn how to use a brush for cleaning solar panels and explore the most effective brush options. Continue reading to keep your solar panels pristine today!
When Should You Clean Solar Panels?
Before learning how to clean solar panels, it’s crucial to know the signs that your panels need cleaning. Most solar panels require little maintenance to continue collecting the Sun’s energy and converting it into electricity. The care comes down to removing dirt, leaves, and debris from the panel’s glass to help it absorb more sunlight.
Monitor your solar system’s output to determine if your panels collect less energy. A drop in productivity is a sign that you should get on the roof and start cleaning your panels. Ensure you find the best solar panel cleaning solution and brush to keep your panels in excellent condition.
What Is a Solar Panel Cleaning Brush?
Solar panel cleaning brushes are designed to help you remove dust and debris from your panels at astounding rates. The best brushes have an integrated water system to make removing dust easier. It’s a user-friendly cleaning option that helps you reach every solar panel corner.
Rotary brushes are among the best options to invest in after buying solar panels for your home. These brushes help you remove debris with ease. You can use a hand-operated or an electronic brush, depending on your budget.
Both options apply enough pressure to remove debris stuck on the panel’s surface without causing damage to the glass or cells beneath. You’ll save hours cleaning panels and handling maintenance when you spend on a cleaning brush.
You can also invest in a solar-powered electronic brush to use renewable energy to maintain your energy system. These brushes are portable and easy to carry with you on the roof.
The design prevents direct contact with the solar cells, so you can enjoy peace of mind when handling cleaning. It’s the next best thing to hire a solar cleaning service. You can check here now for more helpful tips for cleaning solar panels.
Tips for Using Solar Cleaning Brushes
Now that you know more about when to use solar cleaning brushes and what these brushes are, it’s vital to apply that knowledge and remove bird poop, leaves, and other debris from your panels. The process is straightforward; following these tips will prevent damage and premature wear.
Here’s a closer look at the tips you should use as a responsible solar panel owner.
Wet the Solar Panel
Brushing off your solar panels is much easier when you have water to loosen up the dirt and grime compiled there since your last cleaning session. Ensure the entire surface of each solar panel is wet before breaking out your solar cleaning brush.
Once the panel is wet, use your brush to gently wipe the panel’s surface to remove debris while avoiding damage. The edges of the panel are the most important place to focus during your cleaning routine. Most of the dirt accumulates in the bottom corners of the panel.
A top-notch solar panel cleaning brush will allow you to do all these steps simultaneously. The water will loosen the debris as you scrub, saving time and hassle.
Apply Solar-Safe Cleaning Solution
You’ll want to ensure you’re using a cleaning solution designed for solar panels for the next step. Your brush will help remove the debris, but the job is only halfway done. A concentrated glass cleaner is affordable, though you should dilute it with water before applying it to your panels.
It’s best to look for white stains on your solar energy system. These stains are due to hard water buildup and are difficult to remove with standard glass cleaning options. Combine the cleaning solution with your solar cleaning brush to remove these stains and enjoy a productive solar system again.
Gently Brush Again
Gently brush your solar panels again after using the cleaning solution to remove stains and other residue. Your brushing technique should be gentle and smooth for the best results.
Give the cleaner a few minutes to sit before brushing for crystal-clear panels. Continue scrubbing gently until all stains are removed, and your panels look new.
Time Your Cleaning
No matter how nice your solar panel cleaning brush is, it’s all for nothing if you clean your solar panels at the wrong time. The best hours to start cleaning solar panels are early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Solar panels get hot when in direct sunlight, complicating the cleaning process.
The cleaning solution will evaporate too quickly when cleaning if you start during midday. Using cold water on a hot panel will also cause it to crack. Wait to clean your panels until a cooler period, and use your cleaning brush to make them impeccable.
Invest in a Solar Panel Cleaner Today
The purpose of investing in solar panels is to eliminate your energy bills and convert to sustainable energy, but that is only possible if your panels are clean enough to collect sunlight. A solar panel cleaning brush is perfect for your solar panel cleaning needs. Time your cleaning session right, and focus on the bottom of the panels with a gentle scrubbing motion.
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