Quick Answer
All that dust, pollen, and bird gunk is blocking light and costing you money. Most of the time, a good cleaning is all you need. If you can reach 'em safely from the ground, you can do it yourself for under $50 with a hose and a soft brush. If they're on a steep roof or require specialized equipment, you're better off paying a pro, which'll run you typically $100 to $400 for a standard residential system, depending on access and system size.
Common Symptoms
Possible Causes
Step-by-Step Diagnosis
Step 1
Compare current energy production in your monitoring app to historical data from the same period in a previous year. A drop of 10% or more is a red flag.
Step 2
Visually inspect the panels from the ground. Look for a hazy film, obvious streaks, bird droppings, or leaf litter.
Step 3
Check your system's output on a sunny day before a forecasted heavy rain, and then again on the sunny day after the rain. A significant jump in production confirms that cleaning helps.
Step 4
Take note of any new environmental factors like nearby construction, increased traffic, or seasonal pollen that could be the source of the grime.
DIY vs Professional Costs
| Repair Type | DIY Cost | Professional Cost | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
Manual cleaning with water and soft brush (ground accessible panels) | $0-$50 | $100-$200 | 1-2 hours |
Cleaning using a soft brush extension pole with water (for higher panels) | $30-$100 | $200-$400 | 2-3 hours |
Professional cleaning for difficult access or baked-on grime | Not Recommended | $300-$600+ | 3-4 hours |
When to Call a Professional Solar
- Your panels are on a second story or a steep-pitched roof that is unsafe to walk on without proper safety equipment.
- You've tried cleaning them yourself but the production numbers on your monitoring app are still lower than they should be.
- The grime is thick, oily, or baked-on (like from industrial soot or heavy, old bird droppings) and a simple rinse isn't working.
- You don't own or feel comfortable using a long extension pole and don't have the proper safety gear for working at heights.
Prevention Tips
- Do a quick visual inspection of your panels from the ground once a month.
- Trim back any tree branches that hang over or near your solar array to reduce debris and bird perching spots.
- Regularly check your solar monitoring app to get a feel for baseline production and spot dips early.
- If you live in a very dusty or polluted area, plan for a cleaning right after the worst part of the season (e.g., after spring pollen season).
Frequently Asked Questions
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