Solar panels are a great way to get cheaper electricity that doesn't put a strain on the environment. Hundreds of thousands of people have them installed on their roofs already, and more are getting them every year. What lots of these people don't realise is that solar panels can do with a good cleaning on a semi-regular basis. This goes double if you live in rural areas where dust storms are more common. By cleaning your solar panels you can keep them in better shape and working efficiently for many years to come. 

Clean In The Morning, Before The Sun Gets Too High

It will come as no surprise that solar panels get quite hot when the sun is at its peak. What you may not realise is that solar panels can stay very warm for hours after the day has turned into the night, which makes it quite annoying to clean at that time. The best time to clean solar panels is early in the morning, before they have had adequate time to warm up. Set your alarm early, and get your supplies ready so you can get it over and done with in no time.

Water It Down With A Hose Every Month

One step you can take that requires very little effort is to buy a nozzle for your house that allows it to reach your roof and thus your solar panels. This is especially necessary if you haven't had any rain within that time, as that is when dirt and grime can start to settle on the surface of your solar panels. Simply spray water in the direction of your solar panels for a few minute, and you should get rid of all the surface dust and keep your solar panels looking crisp and working well for another month.

Scrub Them Down

At least once a year you should get a bucket and some sponges out to clean the solar panels properly. If your solar panels are located in a precarious position, make sure that you have all necessary safety equipment or, alternatively, call a professional to do it for you. Otherwise, all you need to do is scrub the surface of your solar panels with some water and a bit of soap (it doesn't matter what kind). This is to make sure no dirt builds up over time, as this can create problems with the hardware. The dirt can become so stuck that it starts scratching the surface and affecting the interiors. All you need to do is make sure this doesn't happen with a bit of elbow grease. While you are up there you can also get rid of any leaves or twigs that might have ended up on your solar panels as well!