Do I Need To Clean My Solar Panels in Pakistan?

If you switch to solar energy, it’s a smart, eco-friendly, and saving step that lasts forever. Your solar panel, like all home systems, needs a little routine maintenance and attention to run smoothly. However, regular cleaning remains important to gain the best possible energy output, whether it’s clearing off dirt or checking components functioning properly.

In this blog post, you’ll discover all the details to maintain your solar panels, including how frequently to clean your panels in Pakistan, what you can safely do, and when it’s time to get an expert’s help.

How to Clean Solar Panels

There are several proven ways to keep solar panels clean, whether you prefer traditional manual cleaning or the latest automated technologies. Although rainwater may help to wash the surface of the solar plates, it usually pushes dirt to the lower edge of the panel, and it’s not sufficient or effective.

Manual Solar Panel Cleaning

Read our easy Shahid System step-by-step guide for quick and effective solar panel cleaning.

1. First of all, turn off your solar panel system to ensure the protection and safety of the equipment and the whole system.
2. Use a soft brush to clean the surface of the solar plate and sweep away dirt and dust from the solar panel. Please don’t use a rough brush; it can damage your panels.
3. For best results, clean your solar plates using a standard garden hose and soapy water. Why spend extra? You don’t need any special cleaning product; your everyday dish soap does the job perfectly on solar panels. Please do not use harsh or powerful cleaning agents like bleach; they may damage your panels. Further, avoid using high-pressure hoses; they can cause cracks or serious damage to your solar plates.
4. Only use lukewarm water to clean solar panels, avoiding extreme hot or cold temperatures that can cause damage.
5. Once you’ve completed the cleaning, quickly check your panels’ output to see the improved efficiency.

Other Types of Professional Cleaning

Here are a number of ways to clean your solar plates.

Robotics

Thanks to the latest in robotic technology, a leading company from Italy, Washpanel, is developing automatic and semi-automatic robots for efficient solar panel cleaning. Their portable semi-automatic robots are designed for panels on carports, shed roofs, and greenhouses. They also offer fixed roof robots for large-scale installation in a dusty environment where regular cleaning is essential.

The robots can clean solar plates and charge their batteries quickly while operating. But in Pakistan, these robots are not available yet. They’re costly and need proper training to clean solar panels.

Waterless Vibration

Scientists at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, working with NASA, discovered a new way to make solar panels vibrate and shake, helping remove dust from their surface. The Heriot-Watt method uses a DC motor fixed behind the panel, which can produce vertical vibrations.

Nanoparticle Coatings

In Pakistan, the performance of PV panels is significantly impacted by the combined effects of high temperatures, humidity, and pollution. Advanced nanoparticle technology repels dust, allowing for quick water cleaning, and its clear coating ensures zero impact on panel efficiency.

What Should You Use to Clean Your Solar Panels?

When it comes to solar panel cleaning, scratches or damage can reduce your solar panel’s energy efficiency, which is more than the dust or grime. The best way to clean safely is to apply dish soap and clean water using a soft cloth or sponge.

For best results, try using a squeegee to clean away dirty water; always avoid damaging or scratching the glass.

How often should you clean your solar panels in Pakistan?

Make sure to clean your solar panels approximately every six months. How frequently solar panels should be cleaned, naturally, depends on your location. If you live in a rainy area, you might wash your solar panels less regularly. While in dry and dusty areas, you’ll likely need to clean them more often to maintain the high performance. 

• Desert areas need frequent cleaning to ensure safety and optimal output due to dust and sand. 
• Areas close to highways, airports, or factories often experience high pollution levels. So frequent cleaning is a proven way to maintain efficiency in these areas.
• In wooded locations, solar panels need regular cleaning to avoid performance issues caused by overgrown plants and bird waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cleaning your solar panels make a difference?

Regular cleaning of solar panels ensures better performance, resulting in improved energy output and greater financial benefits. If you don’t clean it, dust will cover the surface area of your solar panel and reduce its performance.

Does cleaning my solar panels void my warranty?

Don’t worry; cleaning your solar panels won’t void the warranty if you use harsh chemicals or rough brushes that can cause scratches or damage.

Is solar panel cleaning necessary?

If you are living in an area with heavy smog, dust, grime, or blowing sand, then cleaning your solar plates is essential. Regularly checking the dust on plates and cleaning them will increase efficiency and longevity.

Conclusion

After installing a solar panel in Pakistan, it’s necessary to clean it every 4-6 months. It will maintain solar efficiency, performance, and structure. Solar panel cleaning is not a daunting task; you can do it by using water, dish soap, and a soft sponge or cloth. Gently remove the dust by using water and add soap on a sponge, then use it on the surface of the solar plate. After cleaning, add more water and remove all the dust and grime.

Shahid System is a team of highly experienced and installing solar panels across Karachi, Pakistan. If you want professional help for solar installation, services, or repairs, we are a call away.