Thinking About Cleaning Your Own Solar Panels? Read This Before You Grab the Hose.

By Miguel, Elite Pressure Wash Services · Bakersfield, CA

Short answer: yes, you can. Plenty of people do.

But most of the damage we hear about on solar panels doesn't come from dirt. It comes from someone trying to clean them the wrong way. Here's what to know before you start.

The 4 ways people damage their own panels

• Spraying cold water on hot glass. On a summer afternoon in Bakersfield, panels get far hotter than the air around them. Hit that glass with cold hose water and the sudden temperature change, called thermal shock, can crack it.
• Using a pressure washer. High pressure can force water past the seals around the edges and into places it shouldn't be.
• Scrubbing with the wrong thing. Most panels have a thin coating that helps the glass absorb light. Rough sponges, scouring pads, and harsh cleaners can wear it down.
• Getting on the roof. Wet panels are slick, a lot of Bakersfield roofs are tile that cracks under the wrong step, and a two-story drop doesn't forgive mistakes.

Don't forget your warranty

Many panel manufacturers spell out how their panels should be cleaned. Using something they don't allow, like a pressure washer or certain chemicals, can give them a reason to deny a claim later. Your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website will tell you what's approved. It's worth five minutes to check.

If you want to do it yourself, do it this way

1. Go early. First thing in the morning, before the sun has heated the glass. Never in the middle of a hot afternoon.
2. Stay on the ground. Use a hose and an extension pole with a soft brush made for solar panels or glass.
3. Plain water first. Rinse, brush gently, rinse again. Skip the dish soap; it can leave a film that holds onto more dust.
4. Watch for spots. Bakersfield tap water is hard. If it dries on the glass, it can leave mineral spots behind.
5. Leave the baked-on stuff alone. If droppings or crusted dirt won't come off with a soft brush, don't scrape it.

When it makes sense to hand it off

For a lot of people, DIY works fine on a single-story home with panels you can reach from the ground. It gets harder when:

• Your panels are on a second story or a steep roof.
• You'd have to climb up there to reach them.
• The dirt is baked on, or there are bird droppings and nests.
• You'd just rather not spend a Saturday morning on it.

That's what we do. We clean with a soft bristle brush and a thorough rinse, the method that's safe for panels, and we check every panel before we leave.

The bottom line

You can clean your own panels. Just do it early, from the ground, with water and a soft brush. If that's not realistic for your roof, it's not worth the risk to your panels or to you.