Most studies put the loss of production due to dust or dirt on the surface of solar panels to be around 1%. If you have a 20,000 kwh/year system and you lose 1% of your production because your panels are dirty, you would lose around 200kwh/year. If each kwh costs you $0.14 then you would pay an additional $28/yr because of dirt. If you pay someone less than $28/year to clean your panels, then it might save you money.
Did someone knock on your door and tell you that you are losing 20% of your energy production because of buildup on your panels? They are exaggerating in order to scare you and get you to give them your hard-earned money.
If you have production monitoring and have noticed a significant decrease in production without a corresponding reduction in sunlight, you might want to have a look at your panels. If there is a thick film of dirt/dust/pollen/bird droppings on your panels then you might consider rinsing them off with a hose. If you do not have monitoring then keep a close eye on your energy bill and look at the section that shows how much energy your solar system has produced.
Don’t pay someone to clean your panels, and don’t commit to paying someone every month to come out and clean them. They are just taking your money, and you will never recoup that money with additional production. If your panels get rained on twice per year that will clean the panels well enough that you should not worry about cleaning them yourself.
If you are really bored and just want something to do, then you could spray off your panels. But make sure you are following your manufacturer’s guidelines on how to do that.
If you have flat panels you are likely the exception to these rules. If your panels are tilted less than 10 degrees then water might be able to pool on top of the panels. You might also see leaves and other debris collecting on them. This is when you might need to clean the panels, but very carefully and following the individual manufacturer’s guidelines.
If someone tells you that your solar panel manufacture requires regular cleaning in order to maintain your warranty, confirm this yourself with the manufacturer. Organ Mountain Solar & Electric does not sell panels that require regular cleaning for warranty purposes.
It would be cheaper to install one (1) additional solar panel than to pay for panel cleaning, even for just one year of cleaning, which averages around $450/yr.
Save your money and enjoy the free energy that your system is producing.
