The first thing most people think when they hear the word “solar panel” is probably something about how sunny it is outside. You probably also know that solar panels are very effective at harnessing the energy from the sun.
However, you might not know that these panels actually work much better in warmer temperatures than in colder ones. In fact, snow is one of the biggest challenges to having your solar panel function well.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snowfall, you need to have a plan for keeping your solar array clean each year.
Luckily, there are many easy home remedies you can use to clean off your panels and make sure they’re ready for spring once again. Keep reading to learn more about how you can keep your solar panel clean all year long.
What Makes Snow Trouble For Solar Panels?
Snow is a common weather phenomenon throughout the United States. However, it can wreak havoc on a solar panel’s performance in a very short period of time.
It’s not unusual for snow to cover your solar panels in just a few days. When this happens, it’s important to remove the snow from the panels quickly to avoid the damage it can cause if left on too long.
Snow can build up on your panels in a couple of different ways. If the snow is frozen into ice, it can cause damage to your panels’ connections. Additionally, snow can get in between your panels and their electrical connections.
This can stop your panels from charging and even damage your panels over time. So, it’s important to keep your panels clean and safe from damage.
How to Clean Snow off Your Solar Panel
If you’ve ever cleaned off your solar panels before, you’ve probably noticed that they’re very dirty underneath all the snow. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence, and when you have to clean off your panels, you’ll see that they’re even dirtier underneath than they were before.
Fortunately, there are a few easy ways for cleaning off your solar panels. The most effective way for cleaning your solar panels is by using a garden hose with a nozzle attachment.
You can go over the panels with this method, and you’ll see a significant difference in how clean your panels will look. Another great way for cleaning off your solar panels is with a de-icer.
You can find de-icers specifically designed for cleaning solar panels, and they work great at removing snow without harming your panels. They’re also easy to use, which makes them an ideal choice for cleaning off your panels when they’re covered in snow.
Plan for Precipitation Protection
If you live in a snowy area, it’s important to keep your solar panel clean over the winter. With the right plan, you can enjoy clean panels all year long. First, make sure you have a way to clean your panels every week.
You can use a pressure washer or a hose with a nozzle attachment to clean off your solar panels. Next, you’ll want to make sure that you have proper protection for your panels.
There are several ways to do this. First, you can make sure that your panels are angled properly so that they’re not exposed to rain. This is especially important if you live in an area that gets a lot of snowfall.
Don’t Forget Dusting and Drying
You’ve already taken the first three steps to make sure your panels are protected from the elements, but you need to make sure that they’re properly dusted and dried before you put them away for the winter.
When you take your panels out of storage, it’s a good idea to give them a quick dusting using a broom and dustpan. You can also use a wet mop to create a bucked stream of water over your panels to help loosen any dust that might be on them.
Make sure that your panels are as dry as possible before you put them away for the winter.
Avoid Condensation And Rotting vegetation
While cleaning snow off your solar panels is important, you also need to keep them clean all year long. To do this, you’ll need to make sure that condensation doesn’t form on your panels.
This can happen if the panels aren’t angled properly or if they’re covered in leaves and other vegetation during the winter months. If this happens, the moisture from the leaves might condense on the panels and cause damage.
Condensation can also cause panels to rust, which is why it’s important to make sure your panels are clean and dry. Make sure that you angle your panels properly and make sure that they’re clean and dry before you put them away for the winter.
Conclusion
Sunlight is important in maintaining the health of your solar panels and helping them generate electricity. However, it’s important to also keep your panels clean all year long.
To keep your panels clean, you need to make sure that condensation doesn’t form on them, that they’re properly angled, and that the panels are dusted and dried.
If you keep these things in mind, your solar panels will work efficiently, even in the coldest months of the year.
