Solar energy is becoming more and more popular, as there have been over 2 million systems installed in the US since 2019 and there was an increase of 43% during 2020!
As we continue to shift towards more eco-friendly solutions, you might be considering a solar panel system yourself. But you can’t just install a system and then leave it alone; regular solar care is necessary to keep it in good shape.
However, cleaning solar panels requires the right tools and techniques. Otherwise, you might cause damage.
Read on to see common mistakes in residential solar system care and how you can avoid them.
Thinking the Rain Cleans Everything
Don’t be lazy and think that the rain can take over cleaning for you. Yes, heavy rain can remove dust, dirt, and debris. But it only eliminates the top layer of all this gunk.
To properly maintain your solar panels, you’ll have to put in some work. With some elbow grease, you’ll be able to remove all these dirty layers.
Using Cleaning Agents
You might think that you need strong cleaning agents to keep your residential solar system in good condition. So you’ve purchased some heavy-duty products to clean with.
But you shouldn’t do this! The abrasive chemicals in these cleaning agents will damage your solar panels. They can erode the anti-reflective coating and void the warranty as well.
You should just stick to mild soaps and water.
Scrubbing Too Hard
We mentioned using elbow grease earlier, but there’s such a thing as scrubbing too hard as well.
Not only should you use moderate pressure, but you should also utilize the right tools for the job. Use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub away.
Cleaning Every Once in a While
The longer you leave gunk on your solar panels, the harder it’ll be to remove. Because this means using more pressure, it increases the chance of damaging your panels.
Make sure you regularly clean them instead. Not only will this keep your system running effectively, but it also ensures you only need to use light pressure to remove dirt and debris.
Using a Squeegee
Squeegees can be excellent for eliminating excess water on your walls, floors, and furniture. However, they have no place on solar panel systems.
Using a squeegee to remove water after cleaning can damage your solar panels. It’s best to just let it air-dry. Or you can wipe them dry with a soft cloth.
If you want to learn more, then check out this website on solar panels.
Avoid These Mistakes for Residential Solar System Care
When you know the mistakes of residential solar system care, you’ll be able to avoid following in others’ footsteps.
So keep these mistakes in mind when cleaning and maintaining your solar panels. If you do, you’ll be able to prolong their lifespan and avoid costly repairs!
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