How to Know When Your Solar Panels Need to be Cleaned

Those who are new to solar power would often not consider getting their roof cleaned unless it was to clear their gutters. However, in the case of solar systems, the performance and the conditions of the structures can be greatly impacted if they are not adequately maintained.

While light debris and dirt can be washed away when rainfall is regular during wet seasons, a consistent drought, residue from trees, or bird droppings can pose a risk on solar powers efficiency. Homeowners are required to check on the conditions of their solar panels more regularly to monitor the build-up of dirt. These factors are also much more prevalent in Autumn and Spring when dirt and leaf build-up can be quite heavy and can often cause issues with gutter functioning.

As a general rule of thumb, the best way to know when your solar panels need to be cleaned is to check your inverter once a month, to see how much energy it is producing. To check your inverter, you must first;

1. Have a rough idea about how much energy your system usually produces
2. Read the display on the inverter itself to see its energy production