Solar panel cleaning and maintenance explained

Yes, you should clean your solar panels every 12-18 months to keep them performing well. Cleaning your solar panels makes sure that they’re working as efficiently as possible. This is because dust and dirt can reduce the amount of sunlight that hits the panels.

How often they should be cleaned depends on where your home is. If your home is in an area that gets lots of rain, you don’t need to clean your panels that often. If you’re in a drier location with more dust and pollen, you may need to do this more frequently.

For solar panels on a roof, the rain does a good job at keeping them clean thanks to the angle they sit at. If your solar panels are on the ground, you may need to clean them more regularly. If your solar panels are near trees, keep branches well-trimmed to avoid leaves covering your panels. Also watch out for nearby birds that may leave droppings on the panels. 

Your solar panel installer will advise on how often they recommend you should clean your solar panels. You can also ask your installer for any other maintenance they recommend.

Depending on where the panels are, you might be confident that you can clean them yourself. If the panels are too high, or if you don’t feel confident cleaning them yourself, then you’ll need to pay a professional.

Costs vary depending on the size of the system, accessibility and level of cleaning required. Professional solar panel cleaning typically costs somewhere between £20 and £200.

If you only need to remove dust from the panels, you might be able to wash this off with water using a hose pipe. If you can reach the panels with a jet of water from the ground, this is a quick and easy process. 

Occasionally you might need to do a deeper clean to get rid of more stubborn dirt. In that case you’ll need suitable, non-abrasive cleaning equipment that doesn’t risk scratching the panels. This includes: 

• a soft, long-handled brush 
• biodegradable soap 
• a solar panel wiper made of a soft material 

You’ll need safe access to the solar panels themselves, and you’ll need to know how to turn off your solar panel system too.

It’s best to avoid using washing up liquid to clean your solar panels. Washing up liquid can leave a film on your panels if not washed off properly, which can help dust build up more easily. Harsh chemicals in some washing up liquids can also affect the coatings on the panels.

Use biodegradable soap and water, either from a soft sponge or from a hosepipe with a gentle spray. This is usually enough to get rid of dust and dirt.

No, you shouldn’t stand on solar panels when you’re cleaning them. Solar panels aren’t designed to support the weight of a person and could crack or break completely.

Panels can also have slippery coatings on them, which is dangerous especially if you’re working at a height. 

No, you should avoid using a high-pressure power washer to clean your solar panels. Power washers can interfere with seals and wiring on your solar panels, which can lead to water damage.

A soft spray from a garden hosepipe will be enough to clean your solar panels effectively. 

To clean solar panels from the ground, you’ll need a hosepipe with a jet that can reach the panels. For a thorough clean, you’ll also need a long-handled brush to reach them. Make sure you’re standing on even ground and be careful with objects surrounding you. 

If you’re struggling or straining to reach your solar panels, it may be best to ask a professional to clean them. 

Solar panels don’t cost much to maintain. If you’re able to clean them yourself, you can simply use water from the tap. According to Heatable, it costs between £20 and £200 for a professional to clean the whole system, depending on size and location. 

Solar inverters, which convert the energy produced by the solar panels into electricity typically need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. This usually costs around £800. 

Many parts of a solar panel system will be covered by a warranty from your installer, so keep your warranty documents safe.

With proper maintenance, your solar panels should work effectively for many years. Follow this checklist to see what steps you should take to keep your solar panel system working smoothly: 

• Every 12-18 months: Clean your solar panels. This keeps them free of dust and dirt and keeps them performing efficiently.
• Every one to two years: Inspect your panels or have a professional do so. This will help to identify any issues with wear and tear, wiring issues or water damage. 
• Every three to five years: Have a full professional service to inspect for small cracks or inverter issues. Check your warranty policy from your installer, as some installers require a full service within a specific period to keep the warranty valid.

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