Benefits of Cleaning Solar Panels

   In the 2023 Article "Soiling- a multi-Billion Dollar Issue" the author states, "Soiling – where PV modules become coated with dust, dirt, sand or snow and thus receive less sunlight – is still an underestimated problem for solar power systems." 

   PV soiling concerns are spreading across the country as hundreds of thousands of panels are being installed each year. There are many types of soiling that occur on panel surfaces. Being in the Midwest, a lot of dust and dirt that settles on the panel can be washed off by a heavy rain event. However, there is a particularly challenging soiling condition that may develop. This is due to the high levels of dew that may accumulate on the panels in the morning, acting as a sort of “glue” for water-insoluble particles. This will eventually lead to the formation of a cement-like residue that is very difficult to clean from the panels. There are also oily substances such as bird droppings, fly and bug specs that a rain simply won't remove.

     From the Article "The Long-Term Effects of Photovoltaic Soiling" it states, "Most studies on the soiling of solar systems focus on the economic trade off between production losses and the cost of cleaning. This misses the fact that soiling can lead to component degradation and eventually system failure." They are referring to the component issues that occur from "hot spots" within the panel. Partial and irregular shading produces irreversible degradation within the panel.

   Regular cleaning improves energy production in the short term, extends the life of the panel in the long term, and upholds obligations for the manufacturer's warranty.

​

Sources: https://solarservice-tx.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/SolarServiceLongTermEffectsofSoiling.pdf

              https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/01/17/soiling-a-multibillion-dollar-issue/