Sometimes. Cleaning your solar panels is easy. In fact, rain does a great job of cleaning your solar panels for you. Otherwise, in times of heavy dust or other regional weather issues, you may have to rinse your solar panels to clear the dust and debris.
To find a solar panel cleaning company in your area, please give us a call and we will connect you directly to an approved solar panel cleaning company.
If you decide to clean your own solar panels, we have a few recommendations:
- Spray your panels with a hose from the ground – do not get on your roof.
- Do not use harsh cleaning chemicals that could damage the panels.
- You should not clean your solar panels during the hottest part of the day because the extreme temperature difference between the water and the solar panels may cause the glass to crack.
Some notes about solar panel cleaning and your Sunnova energy plan:
Homeowner Responsibility
Although Sunnova home solar systems come with the Sunnova Protect™ warranty1, you will want to keep your solar panels free of debris and obstructions in order to keep your solar system operating at optimum levels.
Shading
Regularly trim any trees around your solar system so they don’t block sunlight from reaching your solar panels. The analysis performed at your home during the pre-installation site visit established a benchmark for tree shading, which you are expected to maintain for the lifetime of your solar energy plan.
Soil/Dirt
Solar panels will become dirty over time. Typically, rainfall will serve as a consistent and effective method of washing the panels. However, in more arid climates where rainfall is minimal and dust storms are often an issue, it may be necessary to periodically rinse your solar panels. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the panels – a garden hose should be sufficient.
Environment
Generally, maintenance issues are related to the solar system’s wires rather than faulty panels and/or equipment. To prevent problems with your home solar system, check that there is no accumulation of leaves, debris, snow, or critters (like squirrels or rodents) under the solar panels.2
1. Refer to the Limited Warranty in your agreement for complete warranty terms and limitations.2. Sunnova does not assume responsibility for any injuries to the homeowner that may result from solar system maintenance.