Solar Panel Polishing: Complete Guide to Optimal Efficiency

Regularly get your polishing solar panels is one of the most underrated ways to increase your efficiency. Yet it can provide up to 20% extra energy yield. Have you ever thought about how much dust, sand, leaves and bird droppings accumulate on your panels over time? In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn all about why, when and how best to clean your solar panels, and why professional help from Solarco can be a smart choice.

"We very often see that people are surprised by the impact of a thorough cleaning. It's not only good for efficiency, but also for longevity," says Hendrik from Solarco.

1. Why is solar panel polishing so important?

Solar panels are generally located on roofs and are therefore directly exposed to the elements. In Belgium, with its varying weather conditions, this can cause quite a bit of pollution. Think about:

• Bird droppings, which leave stubborn stains
• Dust and sand, e.g. Sahara sand that comes blowing over in dry periods
• Pollen from trees and plants, especially a big problem in spring
• Industrial precipitation or pollution from busy roadways
• Moss, algae and mould, especially on damp roofs

When there is too much dirt on the panels, sunlight cannot penetrate as well. This results in a significant drop in the ability to convert solar energy into usable electricity. Research indicates that yield drops by 10% to 20% if you never clean your panels.

In addition, it is also good to realise that dirty panels extend the payback period of your investment. After all, if your solar panels produce less energy, you will save less on your energy bill. This is something you obviously want to avoid if you want to make the most of your sustainable investment, so get your solar panels cleaned.

2. How often should you clean solar panels?

2.1 Standard advice

Experts recommend cleaning your solar panels once or twice a year. Often is the ideal timing:

• In spring: after the winter months, your panels may suffer from green deposits from moss and algae, plus accumulated dirt from bad weather conditions.
• In autumn: after the leaves fall and there have sometimes been long, dry spells or just rainy summer days.

2.2 Factors affecting solar panel polishing frequency

Yet this is not a universal rule. The ideal brushing time depends on, among other things:

• Location of your home or business premises (in wooded area, along a busy road, in the city or rural area).
• Surrounding activities such as agriculture or industry, which can cause additional pollution.
• Local weather conditions, including prolonged periods of drought or dust rain.

"We always advise our customers to pay attention when they see a drop in yield or notice obvious dirt on their panels. Often an extra polish is then definitely profitable," indicates Sander from Solarco.

3. Benefits of clean solar panels

1. Higher efficiency: Clean panels can produce up to 20% more energy.
2. Longer lifespan: Dirt can act on the top layer and cause faster damage.
3. Better payback time: Lower costs on your energy bill, giving you a faster return on your investment.
4. Safety: A professional polish often includes a check on the installation status, so potential defects are detected early.

By investing in regular solar panel cleaning, your entire system will last longer and get more financial benefits from your solar power production.

4. Brushing yourself vs. professional cleaning

4.1 Polishing your own solar panels: what to think about?

Many people consider going up on the roof and polishing their solar panels themselves. While it is theoretically possible, there are also risks and drawbacks:

• Fall hazard: Roofs are often slippery and inclined. Safety should always come first.
• Choice of brushes and cleaning agents: If you use the wrong one, you could damage the protective coating of your panels and cause scratches.
• Insufficient knowledge about inspection: While cleaning, you might see a hairline crack or a cable hanging loose. Without experience, you can quickly miss important clues.
• Time investment: A thorough polishing of 10 to 20 panels quickly takes a couple of hours, especially if you proceed carefully.

4.2 Professional cleaning: safe and effective

If you choose a specialist company like Solarco, you will benefit from:

• Safety: We have professional equipment and are familiar with working at height.
• Optimal results: We use only osmosis water (salt- and lime-free) and soft brushes to clean your panels streak-free.
• Inspection: During cleaning, we also check for damage or other technical defects.
• Warranty: You are sure that no damage will occur due to improper use of cleaning agents.

Moreover, we polish in a way that minimises environmental impact. We do not use chemicals, which protects not only the panels but also the environment.

5. Practical step-by-step plan to polish solar panels yourself (if you still want to try)

1. Preparation: Choose an overcast day or morning/evening so that hot sunlight does not fall on the panels. This will prevent quick-drying drips and streaking.
2. Safety first: Place your ladder on a level surface. Wear non-slip shoes and preferably work with a second person keeping an eye on it.
3. Visual inspection: Look for cracks, discolouration or loose wiring. See anything suspicious? If so, stop and contact an expert.
4. Cleaning material: Use a soft brush or sponge and osmosis water. Ordinary tap water can leave lime stains. Avoid abrasives and aggressive cleaning products.
5. Cleaning technology: Work from top to bottom and rinse thoroughly each time so that dirt does not reappear on your panels.
6. Natural drying: Osmosis water does not cause streaks, so there is no need to post-dry. Let the panels air dry gently.

6. Cost of professional cleaning

A professional polish is usually between €5 and €8 per panel. A typical home with 10 to 12 panels pays on average around €125 per cleaning. This cost is quickly recouped by the higher yield of your solar panels.

Especially for companies with larger installations, a tailor-made maintenance contract is interesting. This involves a professional coming by several times a year to clean and check. So you are always assured of optimum efficiency, without wasting time cleaning yourself.

7. Solar panel polishing for businesses

Corporate clients, such as farms, factories or distribution centres, often face more dust or contamination than private installations. This can significantly reduce efficiency if the panels are not regularly polished. A professional partner like Solarco can on a regular basis:

• Cleaning large installations efficiently
• Report on the state of the panels
• Early detection of any defects or wear and tear
• Adjust the frequency of cleaning to business activities and environment

"Companies often notice an immediate visible difference on their energy meter after a thorough cleaning. Production really shoots up again," said Sander of Solarco.

8. Efficiency, payback time and savings

8.1 Efficiency gains

With clean panels, you can expect an increase in efficiency of around 10% to even 20%. With an average installation of 4000 Wp (Watt peak), this can yield several hundred kWh extra per year.

8.2 Faster payback period

With that extra power production, you earn back your solar panels faster. Count on 1 to 2 years less than if you never cleaned. Suppose you foresaw a payback period of 8 years, periodic cleaning could make it 6 or 7 years, for example.

8.3 Annual savings

Depending on your tariff and consumption, you could soon be €200 to €400 per year extra savings. Especially for larger systems (such as on farms, offices and industrial halls), that sum can add up considerably.

9. Frequently asked questions about solar panel polishing

9.1 Does rain not clean my panels?

Rain only washes away loose dirt. Bird droppings, pollen residues and deposits stick to the glass and require a thorough polishing. So rain is not enough to remove stubborn dirt.

9.2 Can I use tap water or a pressure washer?

Tap water can leave lime traces, again causing reduced light penetration. A pressure washer can damage the panels' coating or spray water into seams, risking short circuits or other defects.

9.3 Is there a risk of scratches?

If you use scouring pads or aggressive agents, you may scratch the glass. Therefore, it is crucial to use a soft brush and osmosis water. With professional cleaning from Solarco, you can be assured of this.

9.4 Does it make sense to brush in winter?

In the winter months, the yield is lower anyway due to fewer sunlight hours. However, if you have a lot of overhanging trees or persistent dirt, then solar panel cleaning can be useful even in winter. In most cases, however, it is enough to wait until spring.

10. Extra tip: trust reliable sources

Want more background information on solar energy and how to make your home more sustainable? Then take a look at the Flemish government's energy-saving website, Energy savings.be. Here you will find independent information on subsidies, energy loans and other practical tips. So you stay informed about all possibilities to reduce your energy costs.

11. Conclusion: regular solar panel cleaning = sustainable savings

Solar panels are an excellent investment for both individuals and businesses, but you get the most out of your installations by keeping them clean. Cleaning solar panels is therefore not an unnecessary luxury, but a necessary step to keep your returns high and shorten your payback period.

"We believe that every customer who tries our polishing service notices the difference immediately. It's a small effort for a big result," stresses Hendrik from Solarco.

12. Get your free quote now

Are you ready for your have solar panels professionally polished and thus achieve additional returns up to 20%? Choose security, quality and expertise. Request a no-obligation consultation or quotation today via solar-co.be/offer. We are here to help you reduce your energy costs and extend the life of your solar panels!