If loose dirt, sand, or sediment has started to accumulate in the grooves and nooks of your solar panels, it can gradually begin to impact their ability to function. Solar panels can’t receive sunlight very well if a layer of crud covers their reflective surfaces.
Since solar panels are sheer surfaces, a good spray of water can loosen most surface-level contaminants. However, make sure that your solar panels are shut off and disconnected from the grid. Furthermore, it’s important to give the panels time to cool down so that you don’t induce a temperature shock when you spray them. Once they’re ready, get out a garden hose, attach an adjustable sprayer, and give the surface of the panels a gentle misting. Take it slow and steady, making sure to get some water on as much of the panels’ surface area as possible.
After this, you can use a separate device, like a gallon sprayer, to apply a cleaning solution to the panels. This will help to dissolve and loosen some of the more stubborn contaminants. The best thing to use here is a professional-grade solar panel cleaning solution, which you can find on Amazon for around $25. If you can’t find a pre-made solution, you can make your own by filling a bucket with water and dissolving a bar of mild hand soap in it. Don’t use any intense, abrasive chemicals, as they could cause the panels to fray and erode.
