Knowledge: Solar PV
Five of
the best
Cost neutral: Extra revenue generated by
cleaning solar panels always outweighs the
cost of cleaning, according to Clean Solar
Solutions md Steve Williams
From its experience cleaning
over 100,000 solar panels of
different types and sizes in all
parts of the UK, Clean Solar
Solutions is in a good position
to provide advice on solar panel
cleaning and how it can benefit
PV installers. Steve Williams,
managing director, gives REI
his top 5 facts for installers
1.
Solar panels do need cleaning
In times past, solar panels have been
sold by installers as being ‘maintenance-
free’ and ‘self-cleaning’. The reality is
somewhat different. Solar panels, like
every outdoor flat surface are exposed to
the elements. Rain, wind, traffic, birds,
harvest time and sea air all bring their
own types of dust and detritus which
accumulates on solar panels, as it will
any other surface. This accumulation
blocks out a percentage of sunlight from
the array, causing the output to drop.
This can significantly impact the ROI.
2.
mounted solar panels and finally roof
mounted residential arrays. Residential
arrays benefit from just an annual clean,
whereas farms see financial benefits from
cleaning their panels every 3-4 months.
3.
Our experience of cleaning many types
of solar arrays all over the UK has led us
to some interesting ratios. Generally,
solar panels in rural locations get dirtier
than those in urban areas. Here is the
list of types of arrays that need cleaning
from most frequent to least frequent:
Roof mounted agricultural arrays, roof
mounted commercial arrays, ground
26 | www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk
Dirty solar panels have damaging
financial implications
Solar panels that are not cleaned can lose
a large amount of output and it will take
the end-user longer to see their ROI. The
larger the array, the larger the financial
losses. Even with the cost of our solar
panel cleaning, in virtually all cases, the
extra money generated from having clean
solar panels easily outweighs the cost of
the cleaning.
How often solar panels need
cleaning varies
4.
revenue streams for a steady source of
income. Offering an O&M package is
ideal. Your client may begin to see a
decline in their solar array output and
naturally, the first person they ring will
be the installer. To already have possible
solutions in place such as solar panel
cleaning and inverter servicing is seen by
many as excellent customer service.
Solar panel cleaning should be part
of your O&M package
If you do not already offer an operations
and maintenance package to your new
and past clients, you are missing a trick.
With the installation side of the industry
being more unsteady these days, many
installers are now looking to other
5.
Solar panel cleaning should be
carried out by professionals
There are many window cleaners
who are now looking to add solar
panel cleaning to their list of services.
However, the vast majority lack the
health & safety knowledge needed
in order to clean solar panels safely.
Solar panel manufacturers recommend
solar panel cleaning is to be done by
professionals and is not a DIY job, it
carries more risk and therefore it is
recommended that they are cleaned by
those with a thorough knowledge of how
to protect themselves from risk and who
are fully insured.