Dirty solar panel output drops from 1.5% to 6.2% according to Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews Journal.

Did you know that you can still be receiving bills from your electricity provider after installing solar?

Many homeowners are surprised by this, and it happens more frequently than you might expect. One of the main reasons is because solar panels begin to lose production over time as dirt and grime cover the surface of the panel. Mohammad Reza and Mohammad Mood, in the article “Power loss due to soiling on solar panel: A review,” a study of the effects of soil on large grid-connected PV panels in California, state that annual losses due to the accumulation of soil in solar PV panels range from 1.5% to 6.2%. As production is lost, the solar system must rely on power from the grid to supply the lost energy, and, of course, there will be a charge for that. Even for the most efficient solar systems, production will be reduced if the panels are not being cleaned. System owners need to make sure that they keep their solar panels free from dust, dirt, birds droppings, etc. so the panels can keep operating at peak performance.

No one wants to receive any extra fees from your energy provider, especially after switching to solar. After all, what is the point of switching to solar if your system can’t even cover your energy consumption? Mother nature can only help out so much with the occasional rainfall. Luckily, there are a few things that you can keep in mind to reduce dirt and grime buildup. First, your panels should not be placed in a flat position. When the panels are tilted, there is less accumulation of residue on the panel and its edges. The water flows over the panel, instead of stagnating on the surface, taking the dirt with it. Second, rain volume in your area is an important factor to consider. In the same study that Reza and Mood conducted, it was suggested that rainfall needs to be at least 20mm to properly clean the surface of the panel, and if it receives less, it can actually make the efficiency of the panels decline. Rain still contains airborne dust particles that will leave a layer of dust on the solar panels. So, while the rain can potentially wash out the accumulated dust on the panel, it can also bring new dust particles.

Still thinking about how to keep your solar panels clean without having to pay someone to do it for you? What about cleaning the panels yourself?

It is obvious that, for safety reasons, Soleeva does not recommend that you attempt to clean your panels by yourself. The risk of serious injury by falling is a real threat and has happened before. Going to the top of your roof and scrubbing the panels yourself can certainly save you money but is not worth the risk. Remember, safety is first!

At Soleeva, our anti-soiling technology removes the hassle of cleaning your solar panels. This breakthrough technology is an affordable, non-toxic spray coating applied to every one of our PV solar panels. This unique coating keeps the panel’s surface cleaner than other panels, while still offering an optimal energy production. Interested in finding out more? Visit our website where you can learn all about our technology as well as get in contact with a representative that can help you right away.

References:

Reza, M., Mood, M., Hizam, H., Gomes, C., Amran M., Rezadad M, Hajighorbani S., (2016). “Power loss due to soiling on solar panel: A review,”. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 59, June 2016, Pages 1307-1316