Residential Solar Panel Cleaning

Regularly maintaining solar panels is crucial in Hawaii’s unique tropical environment, where factors like acid rain, salt spray, red dirt, bird droppings, traffic pollution, mold, and mildew can quickly accumulate. This buildup reduces energy output, leading to higher electricity costs. 

To ensure optimal energy generation and extend your solar energy system’s lifespan, regular professional cleaning is essential. This maintenance helps prevent corrosion, ensuring long-lasting and efficient solar panel performance in Hawaii’s challenging conditions.

There are several important reasons why you should avoid using a pressure washer to clean photovoltaic (PV) panels:

1. Risk of Damage: Pressure washers produce high-pressure streams of water, which can damage the delicate surface of PV panels. This damage may include scratches, cracks, or chipping, leading to reduced efficiency or the need for costly repairs or replacements.

2. Breaking Seals: Pressure washing can compromise the seals and connections around PV panels, potentially leading to water infiltration and electrical issues. These seals are crucial for the safety and performance of the system.

3. Frame and Mounting Damage: The force from a pressure washer can also damage the frame and mounting hardware of the solar panels. Any structural damage can affect the panel’s stability and integrity.

4. Reduced Efficiency: Using a pressure washer may not effectively remove all dirt, dust, and residue from the panel surface. Incomplete cleaning can lead to reduced energy production and, consequently, increased electricity costs.

5. Warranty Voidance: Many solar panel manufacturers have specific guidelines and warranties that may be voided if pressure washers or abrasive cleaning methods are used. This could result in the loss of warranty coverage.

For safe and effective solar panel cleaning, it is advisable to use methods that are gentle on the panels, such as using deionized water, soft brushes, or hiring a professional solar panel cleaning service with experience in the field.

Ensuring you hire a professional service company like Hawaii Solar Panel Cleaning is crucial for protecting your home and loved ones. The solar cleaning industry unfortunately attracts inexperienced fly-by-night operators or those seeking quick splash-and-dash side hustles.

To mitigate potential liabilities, always insist on proof of insurance from any contractor. Without it, you could find yourself responsible for mishaps or damages that occur during the project.

Rest easy knowing that Hawaii Solar Panel Cleaning takes your safety seriously. We’re fully insured, and our Certificate of Insurance (COI) is readily available and sent along with our complimentary estimates. Your peace of mind is our priority.

Many solar manufacturers recommend cleaning solar panels every 6 to 12 months as a general guideline to maintain their efficiency and performance. However, it’s important to consider factors like location, the angle of your panels, a humid climate will cause mildew buildup, and the condition of your solar panels surface. Panels with surface damage will accumulate debris faster and will require more frequent cleanings.

Should I Clean Them Myself Or Call Professional Solar Panel Cleaners?

While some of you enjoy going the DIY route, many would rather rely on professional solar panel cleaners.

In doing so, your solar panels are guaranteed to receive the best treatment out there. But how do you decide between the two?

Here are some things to consider:

Time Constraints

What does your schedule look like and how much free time do you have available? Cleaning solar panels is not something that you want to rush. If you don’t have the time to get the job done properly, get in touch with your local professionals.

Finances

What does your monthly budget look like? If you won’t compromise yourself financially, then it is advised to call in the experts.

Safety

Safety is so important when it comes to cleaning solar panels, as it can be hazardous, particularly when rooftop panels are involved. There is no point in having a great PV setup if you end up in a hospital while trying to clean it.

So before deciding on the route, you’d like to go, consider your age, how sprightly you are, and the setup you have – do you have ground-mounted or rooftop panels?

The answers to those questions will go a long way in determining which route is best suited to you.

How To Clean Solar Panels (DIY Tips & Advice)

The cost for professional solar panel cleaning, following correct cleaning protocols, can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the solar panel system, its location, the accessibility of the panels, the level of debris accumulation, and the condition of your solar panel’s surface. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $30 per panel. However, keep in mind that this is a rough estimate, and actual costs may be higher or lower based on the mentioned factors.

Factors That Affect The Cost To Clean Solar Panels:

Several factors can influence the cost of cleaning solar panels:
1. Number of Panels and Array: The total number of panels and their configuration in the array can impact the cleaning cost.
2. Level of Debris Accumulation: The extent of debris accumulation on the panels matters. Panels heavily covered in dirt or mildew will cost more to clean. Regular maintenance, such as yearly cleaning, can save you money by preventing severe buildup.
3. Accessibility of the Panels: The ease of access to the panels is crucial. Factors to consider include the roof’s pitch. Is the roof walkable, low, medium or high pitched?
4. Location of the Solar Panels: Panels can be ground-mounted, on a one-story or two-story building, or on a solar carport. Each setup presents different challenges and setup times. A solar carport may require a scissor lift.
5. Condition of Solar Panel Surfaces: Damage from incorrect cleaning methods, using harsh chemicals or pressure washers to clean solar panels are the most common causes of surface damage. Damaged panels are harder to clean.

It’s important to consider these factors when estimating the cost of solar panel cleaning, as they can vary from one situation to another. Regular maintenance and addressing debris accumulation promptly can often be more cost-effective in the long run, as it can help avoid the need for extensive and costly cleaning in the future. Hawaii Solar Panel Cleaning offers “One Time Cleaning” and an “Annual Cleaning Maintenance Plan”.

Introducing Hawaii Solar Panel Cleaning’s Neighbor to Neighbor Program – Refer a Friend or Neighbor and Save!

At Hawaii Solar Panel Cleaning, we greatly appreciate your satisfaction and trust in our solar panel cleaning services. As a token of our gratitude, when you refer a friend or neighbor, both you and your friend will receive an impressive 10% off your next solar panel cleaning. But that’s not all! Take it a step further – refer two neighbors, and enjoy an even greater discount! You and your referred neighbors will each receive a generous 20% off your solar panel cleaning. 

Thank you for being an invaluable part of our community and for helping us spread the benefits of clean, efficient solar panels!