According to the Department of Energy Security, more than half of the United Kingdom’s total energy production is renewable thus far in 2024. Almost two-thirds of that energy comes from wind, but the remaining third comes from biofuel, solar and hydroelectric power.
While switching to renewable energy is a great choice for you and the environment, the process doesn’t end at installation. You’ll be working with specialised equipment, and maintenance will be important. You might consider hiring a solar panel cleaning service to help you.
If you’re burning biofuel, you need to ensure that you’re doing it safely and that nothing gets in the boiler that could be hazardous. Solar panels require occasional cleaning. We’ll discuss professional cleaning services and how they can help you here.
1. Increased Efficiency
The first reason to hire a solar panel cleaning service is to boost solar efficiency. According to the United States’ Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, solar panels work by using semiconductors. When sunlight hits the atoms in the solar panel, it knocks electrons loose, creating an electrical charge. The more sunlight that hits a photovoltaic panel, the more power it creates.
However, when panels get dusty or dirty, the sunlight might not reach the cells. This means less power for you, and all because you didn’t get the panels cleaned.
2. Less Risk of Damage
Many people are reluctant to clean their own solar panels for fear of damaging them. Professionals don’t have that problem. Cleaning service employees are panel cleaning experts who know how to keep everything functioning.
Solar panels are made from composite materials, but the largest part is glass. Glass accounts for more than half of the makeup of a solar panel. This makes the panels fragile, so professionals must take special care when washing them.
3. Enhanced Lifespan
The growth of moss and other contaminants does more than stop solar panels from generating power. They can also cause damage if allowed to accumulate. Regular cleaning will keep this from happening.
This might sound expensive, but it’s not as bad as it sounds. Yearly or semi-annual cleaning is enough to prevent damage.
4. Safety
Cleaning solar panels doesn’t sound dangerous, but it is. Part of the problem is that one of the most effective places to put solar panels is on the roof. When you add the equipment needed to clean them, you have a job that requires plenty of care and at least two people.
Professional cleaners have safety measures in place that reduce the risk of injury. This means that you don’t have to worry about whether they’ll be alright. They’ve cleaned roofs before. They know what they’re doing.
How a Solar Panel Cleaning Service Can Help You
The best solar maintenance tips we can offer are to hire a solar panel cleaning service and to treat them well. Having professionals clean your solar panels is easier, safer, and more effective than cleaning them yourself. Solar panels should be cleaned every year, so this will save you trouble.
If you need anything cleaned, call us at Swansea Clean and Seal. We’re owned by an accredited cleaner with ten years of experience, and that makes us great at what we do. Read about our solar panel cleaning services if you’re not convinced.
