David Kuchta, Ph.D. has 10 years of experience in gardening and has read widely in environmental history and the energy transition. An environmental activist since the 1970s, he is also a historian, author, gardener, and educator. 

Solar panels not only have a low impact on the environment but also on your everyday life. In many circumstances, you can install them and not worry about further maintenance, such as cleanings. There are some cases, however, in which it is a good idea to clean them—and in those cases, it's crucial to clean them properly.

Anything that makes your panels less efficient is slowing down the return on your investment. Here are some situations where that might be the case:

Unless you are in a situation that necessitates manual cleaning, you can let nature do the solar panel cleaning for you. If you live in an area where it rains or snows regularly, the rain or snowmelt will act as a natural cleaning solution.

There are a couple of other reasons you probably don't need to regularly clean your solar panels:

It's still a good idea to conduct a periodic visual inspection of your panels to see if they need cleaning. Check first with the manufacturer or installer of your solar panels for any specific recommendations on cleaning your panels. For example, bifacial solar panels may need cleaning on both sides.

When cleaning, treat your solar panels like you would a pair of glasses. Debris is temporary and can be carefully removed, but a scratch is permanent.

If you do clean your panels, here are some things to keep in mind:

Again, the answer is probably not. If cleaning is advised, it will be less expensive to do it yourself rather than hire a solar panel cleaning service.

On the other hand, if your garden hose isn't powerful enough to reach your rooftop panels from the ground and you don't want to climb onto the roof, hire a professional to do it for you. Make sure to ask about their cleaning methods before hiring someone.

If you can easily clean your panels without damaging them, then doing so could make your panels more efficient and your investment more profitable. But depending on where you live and other environmental conditions, it may just be easier and cheaper to let nature do the job for you.

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