You bought solar panels to save yourself money. But, you’ve started to notice that they’re not working as well as they did when you first got them. Well, that’s to be expected, because dirt’s going to build up on them just like it does on everything else. You’ve heard that a lot of times rain will clean off solar panels, but we all know how rare rain is in California. So how do you clean your solar panels? Maybe you could just use your hose to wash them off? Not so fast! Before you break out the hose — stop. We’re here to tell you why you should never use hose water on solar panels.
How Do Solar Panels Get Dirty?
Before you even want to know how to clean your solar panels and why you should never use hose water, you’re probably wondering how your solar panels even get dirty. Have you ever leaned against the side of your house and noticed dirt on your body? There is just always dirt in the air that will dirty your solar panels, not to mention the bird poop and debris, such as leaves. All of this creates a layer of build up on your solar panels, which can greatly affect their energy efficiency.
Why Can’t I Clean Them with Hose Water?
As convenient as it would be, you should not clean your solar panels with hose water. Think about it. Where does your hose water come from — not the same place as your purified drinking water. Hose water is unfiltered, which means it will leave behind mineral deposits like calcium. So while you may be getting some of the dirt off, you’re just replacing it with something else that will block the sunlight.
So can’t you just use soap with the hose water? Again, no. Think about your soap. Do you ever actually get all of the soap off something? That answer is probably no, even if you think you do. If you use soap to clean your solar panels, you’re going to have the same issue. Soap will be left behind, and your energy will not be any more efficient. There is just no good way to use hose water and get spotless solar panels.
The Right Way to Clean Your Solar Panels
Now that you know why you should never use hose water on solar panels, it’s time to learn how you should clean your solar panels. If you live in the Sacramento area, ASF Clean Team can help. ASF Clean Team offers both residential solar panel cleaning and commercial solar panel cleaning. We will come to your location and do the cleaning for you — you don’t even have to be there!
But how is our cleaning different from hose water, you ask? Well, our tools are made specifically for solar panels. This includes a filter, so you don’t have to worry about any calcium build up. And, your solar panels will dry clear, with no sticky residue like soap, bringing back maximum energy efficiency.
Are you ready to get your energy savings back? Contact ASF Clean Team today.
