How Often Do Solar Panels Need To Be Cleaned In Honolulu?
Solar panels in Honolulu need to be cleaned at least once a year. Depending on your home’s geographical location, solar panel cleaning experts claim that the frequency can be increased to twice or three times a year.
Beyond location, there are multiple parameters that guide the cleaning cycle for solar panels. For instance, let’s consider the weather. Since Honolulu doesn’t have a dry and dusty climate, frequent cleaning may not be necessary.
Besides, the trade winds blowing throughout the years can help prevent dust and environmental debris from settling down. However, higher humidity makes the dust stickier and harder to remove from surfaces, requiring more frequent cleaning to maintain panel efficiency.
Don’t assume that the dust deposition rate to be constant throughout the year. With higher levels of dust concentration and animal activity, the panels will need more cleaning. Natural events like tropical cyclones can also lead to the accumulation of debris on the panels, making additional cleaning necessary.
With so many influencing factors, pointing out the exact cleaning frequency for solar panels isn’t easy. Time for a closer look at the factors that determine the frequency of panel cleaning.
Location
Panels located near construction zones or high-traffic areas will have a higher rate of dust buildup. Man-made pollutants from factories or airports can cause higher grime and oil buildup on panels. If the panels are located near trees or bird habitats, bird deposits and decayed leaves can lead to panel soiling. Moreover, in a coastal city like Honolulu, there’s the effect of salt deposition on the panels, reducing efficiency.
Climate and Environment
The local climate plays an important role in determining the dust concentration in an area.
Rainfall intensity helps in cleaning dust and pollutants from the air. Rain accompanied by high wind will have a cleansing effect on the panels. In addition, the relative humidity levels determine the amount of dust being deposited.
Panel Type and Mounting Angle
A higher tilt angle allows dirt and debris to fall off the panel surface more easily. Panels with a minimum mounting angle of 10 degrees are cleaned more effectively by rainfall. Generally, south or west-facing panels require more cleaning as they gather more dust.
Signs That Your Solar Panels Need Cleaning
Checking the panels after every few months is a good idea. Beyond that here are a few signs that you need to watch out for.
Unusually high power bills
Check your current power bills with the ones that you received right after the installation of the panels. Let’s assume your consumption is the same but the current bills are higher. Chances are that the panels require cleaning.
The reason for that is simple. Since the dirty panels can’t generate power at full capacity, you are drawing more power from the grid.
Mold or mildew growth
Mold patches on the panels are a clear sign that the panels require cleaning. This usually happens with flat panels as the rainwater can’t drain off easily. Another sign of dirty panels is any discoloration of the panel surfaces. It’s best to let professionals handle such thorough cleaning jobs.
Decreased energy production
If your solar panels come with a monitoring app, you may find a drop in the power output levels. While weather conditions play a role in power generation, a steady drop over a prolonged period can be an indicator that something is obstructing the sunlight. Dirty panels can be the culprit behind this.
Panels look dirty after rains
A heavy rain shower can clean the dust, making the panel surfaces look significantly cleaner. If not, then the dirt layer is too thick or sticky to get washed off by rain alone. A proper cleaning of the panel will be necessary at this stage.