If you have recently invested in a solar energy system for your home or business, or if you are considering going solar in the future, you might be wondering about solar panel maintenance. The experts from the EnergySage solar system marketplace suggest cleaning your solar panels once or twice per year to ensure top performance.
To compare DIY solar panel maintenance vs. hiring a professional, there are four main factors to consider: cost, convenience, effectiveness, and safety.
What Is The Cost?
Cost is the first factor that many people consider when deciding between the DIY approach to solar panel maintenance and hiring a professional. Many people are inclined to try DIY solar panel cleaning because they are under the impression that it does not involve any additional cost. However, that is not the case. Depending on the size of your roof, you may need to purchase a ladder long enough to reach the solar panels. Ladders cost $200 to $400 dollars. Hiring a professional, does involve a one time cost. Ada Parker of Solar Energy Questions notes that nationally, the average cost to have solar panels professionally cleaned is in the $200 range. It can be higher or lower depending on your location, and on the size and location of your solar panel installation.
How Effective Will The Cleaning Be?
Effectiveness is also something to keep in mind when deciding between DIY solar panel maintenance and hiring a professional. Professional solar panel cleaners will of course achieve the best results. Specialized cleaning equipment will gently scrub the surface of solar panels, removing dust and build-up that may remain after a simple hosing off.
Safety Considerations?
Safety is the final factor, and perhaps the most important to examine when comparing your options of DIY solar panel maintenance and hiring a professional. This too will depend on your specific circumstances and needs. Mostly, it will depend on whether cleaning your solar panels requires working on a rooftop or cleaning from ground level. It is important to remember that working on a rooftop, even on one-story structure, carries significant risks of injury or worse death. More than anything else, safety is the factor that motivates many people to leave solar panel maintenance to the professionals.
Conclusion
For most people, hiring a professional is the best way to go for solar panel maintenance.
You already made a significant investment to install a solar energy system, it makes sense to hire professionals for solar panel maintenance at least once a year--at a minimum. This will allow you to keep your solar energy system working at peak efficiency without risking your safety.
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