Rain Is Not Enough to Keep Your Solar Panels Clean

If you're someone who cares about your car, you always go to a car wash or wash it yourself and never saying that rain was enough to clean it.  There's a certain kind of grime that can get baked on to your car, and rainwater is not going to do any active scrubbing to get it off. Then, you could see why the people who say that rain is enough to clean your solar panels are sorely mistaken. It's also so much more important that solar panels are kept clean because their performance—and the money you make from it—depends on it! If you're still dubious, this article will provide explanations and easy solutions for a more effective solar panel cleaning routine.

Rain Is Helpful - But It Isn't Everything

Rain can obviously get some initial debris off, but it is important to keep in mind that your solar panel system was a serious investment and deserves the kind of cleaning that will keep it in the best shape possible for as long as possible. All kinds of natural contaminants will build up on your solar panels over time, and residue that initially seems like nothing to worry about could lead to much more serious and problematic soiling.

 

Rainwater Is No Match for Soiling and Cementation

Dirt, dust, pollen, soot, and bird droppings are some but not all of the substances that can wreak havoc on your solar system. The longer they're allowed to accumulate, the more likely the compounds will start to get more tightly structurally bound, rendering it nearly impossible for even a heavy rain to remove them. And worse, that kind of accumulation (aka soiling) can lead to corrosion of the panels and the creation of hot spots. Hot spots are what happens when solar panels become partially shaded, which is inevitable with soiling because some areas of the panels will become more heavily soiled than others. This phenomenon will disrupt solar cell function and could cause short-circuiting. Over time, hot spots can cause irreversible solar cell destruction.

 

Rain Can Cause Solar Panel Problems

In a recent study on the effects of precipitation on solar system efficiency conducted in California, something unusual occurred. In some regions (particularly Northern California, which has a similar climate to Central Texas), the existence of short periods of light rain caused a decrease in system performance. The rain itself was carrying particulate matter. There wasn't enough subsequent rainfall to clear off what it had deposited, so the moisture and particles combined to create a mud-like substance that was even less likely to come off the panels. Precipitation in areas that already have a lot of dust, like Central Texas, is more likely to deposit debris on solar panel surfaces, leading to uneven soiling that causes the issues as mentioned above.

 

Why Choose Solar Service

In addition to all of the inefficiencies and complications of rainwater, there's the simple issue that you cannot control when it rains. If Austin or San Antonio experiences a dry spell, you and your solar system won't be able to rely on nature's cleaning system. But hopefully after reading this post, you understand that a high-quality solar system deserves high quality, consistent care. That's why Solar Service is the best of the solar companies Austin has. Or if you are looking for solar companies San Antonio residents turn to look no further than Solar Service. Solar Service is committed to Keeping Your Solar Running for the Long Haul.

Solar Service is eager to discuss its long-term preventive cleaning solutions, which will do much more for your solar panels than rainwater. If you’ve been looking for a top-tier Austin solar company or San Antonio solar company Solar Service has locations in both areas and is ready to serve you. Fill out the contact form or call 877-230-4606 to get started!