It is curious that solar panels usually have a production guarantee of 25 years in which the loss of yield is 0.5% per year and that due to accumulated dirt it can be reduced by up to 40%.
Many factors influence the performance of photovoltaic systems. From the materials chosen for the solar panels, monocrystalline or polycrystalline, to the place where they are finally placed. In the northern hemisphere they should always face south and, of course, with the inclination to ensure that the sun’s rays fall as perpendicularly as possible. Also the temperature and climate. Thus, the highest productivity would be obtained at around 25ºC or even lower. In space, at sub-zero temperatures, they have been servicing all types of satellites for years. In principle, wind and rain should not reduce efficiency, but what is decisive is the number of hours of light and shaded areas, but once they are up and running, the big forgotten issue is maintenance.
Environmental contamination: a determining factor in the performance of photovoltaic systems
Dust, sand, saltpeter and leaves or insects, among others, … All together, with the accumulation caused by the passage of time, can become the worst enemy of the efficiency of solar panels. As much, or more, as installing them in the shade. Therefore, although it is true that rainwater and wind can contribute and help to keep them clean, in many cases it is advisable to carry out a more thorough cleaning to remove any debris or opacity that affects their performance. It is as simple as the more solar radiation they can capture, the more energy will be produced. A drop in energy production of between 8% and 15%, and that is in the best case scenario because with bird droppings it can be even worse. Up to 40%. It is more profitable to clean them than to stop generating a significant amount of kWh.
How and when to clean the panels of a photovoltaic system?
There are no fixed rules, but it is advisable to perform a deep cleaning twice a year, or at least once a year. There are also no master formulas because it will depend especially on the environmental conditions, the climate and the location of the installation. It is not the same to have it in a big city, near a highway, industrial zone or in other areas where construction work is being carried out, as it is in the tranquility of a rural area. Nor in places where the calima coming from the African continent is part of the landscape or in the proximity of the sea, with saltpeter and sand as protagonists. The needs are not the same. However, what should never change is the way they are cleaned and the products that are used.
Airborne particles in the air impact and accumulate directly on the photovoltaic installations. Recent studies show that such contamination can reduce the efficiency of solar panels by up to 25%..
The same applies to those regions with snowfall and hailstorms or violent weather phenomena. They will always leave a greater accumulation of solid particles on the surface of the solar panels. Be that as it may, not everything goes when it comes to cleaning them. The best time to do this is always early in the morning or late in the afternoon when solar radiation is lower. Avoid windy days and ideally cloudy days or days with lower temperatures. In addition, the key is to avoid scratching the glass or damaging it with chemicals and detergents that are not suitable for this type of material. Even so, there will always be traces of dirt that have become encrusted over time and seem impossible to remove. Prevention is better than cleaning. Hence the importance of using the most suitable product for photovoltaic installations.
The best product to clean solar panels: G2 Green GA-7 degreaser
G2 Green’s GA-7 photovoltaic degreaser is the ultimate solution for cleaning and, above all, for the maintenance of solar panels to ensure their maximum performance and profitability. Highly effective on soiling due to exposure to environmental factors such as pollen, leaf accumulation, tree resin impregnation and bird droppings. Also to eliminate once and for all the remains of pollution, saline residues, dust and sand in suspension and raindrops, … Biodegradable. Soluble in water in all proportions. It leaves no residue and also protects the solar panels, keeping them cleaner for longer thanks to the formation of an antistatic film that repels dirt.
Thus, always in tune with nature and with the values that have characterized the company since its creation, G2 Green is committed to changing the energy model and wants to contribute its grain of sand in the transition to a more sustainable, green and, above all, cleaner model. Therefore, and as it could not be otherwise when talking about renewables, all G2 Green products maximize costs, with concentrated and effective formulas at the best price; they save time and make cleaning and disinfection management profitable with adapted plans; and they pay special attention to environmental protection. They save water and reduce waste generation, promoting responsible consumption. Also for the cleaning of solar panels…
Think big, Clean green!
