Cleaning solar panels every month or few months can generate 15-20% more energy and shave 3-5 years off the payback period of a solar installation. Not cleaning a 3kw system can lose around 2.7 kWh per day or 985 kWh over a year, equal to losing a full hour of generation time daily. Basic cleaning with a vinegar and soap solution using a long-handled squeegee tool makes it safe and efficient to clean panels.

1. Did you know that you can generate 15% - 20% more
energy by cleaning solar panels? It may not be something
that you think about; however, by cleaning your panels
every month or few months you can literally shave off
three to five years of the payback time of your installation.

2. Let's take a look at exactly how much energy you're losing
by not cleaning solar panels. In this example I'll be using
an average 3kw system. I'll also assume the lower end of
energy loss of .15%

3. So by not cleaning your panels you are losing 15% of their
output energy which works out to roughly 2.7 kWh per
day! In a standard six hours of full power generation
you're losing a whole hour. When you look at it over a
years worth of energy loss and that number becomes 985
kWh lost by not spending half an hour every month or
two.

4. Cleaning solar panels isn't that difficult either. You just
need to treat them like you would windows. A solution of
vinegar and dish soap works quite well for cleaning and
leaving a streak free finish.

5. If you're on a budget towels work well, but they are time
consuming and dangerous because you have to be bent
over the panels and the risk of falling is increased. It's
much safer to buy a six foor squeegee type cleaning tool.
There are several available on the market and a search for
them will turn up several.

6. The nice thing about these tools is that they make cleaning
much safer. You no longer have to bend over and risk
falling off the roof (always remember to be harnessed in
for safety). If you opt for a more expensive model you can
get a flow through version which basically pumps water
through the handle into the cleaning head. You wash the
panels off and than squeegee them. That doesn't even
include that amount of time that you'll save by using a
squeegee instead of a cloth towel.

7. As for how often you should be cleaning your panels it's
up to you. If you're not doing monthly inspections than
you should really start and add in inspecting how dirty the
panels are. If they're dirty than wash them and if not wait
until the next inspection.

8. Remember, half an hours work per month will mean you
generate 15% - 20% more energy and pay for your solar
panel system years sooner. That makes cleaning solar
panels definitely worth it.

9. http://www.cattraining.com/