Numerous Nigerian homeowners have been putting money into solar power systems to avoid the unreliability of the grid, but after a few months, they begin to see a significant decrease in the amount of power their solar systems produce. 

The environmental factors which cause the glass surface to become a physical barrier are dust, harmattan haze and bird droppings which are never encountered by the system. This buildup blocks sunlight from the PV cells below, gradually cutting back your energy production each day.

A cheaper solution can get your system back to its best, rather than spending big money with professional technicians. 

High cost of dirty panels

Dirt can do a lot more harm than just the untidy look of your roof. Field research conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicates that without regular cleaning of the solar panels, they lose as much as 25% of their overall efficiency each year in dusty or dry areas. 

However, in the Nigeria environment, the power drop may happen in a few weeks given the high dust load transported by the harmattan winds, which results in undercharging of batteries and frequent power outages for appliances.

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Essential DIY kit

Special industrial chemicals and expensive technology are not required for restoring your system. 

The most basic and safe way to start is to buy a soft-bristle broom or a long-handled window squeegee with a sponge side, which can be acquired from the local hardware market for anywhere between N3,500 to N4,500. Use this with a regular bucket of clean water (soft tap/ distilled water) to which you add a few drops of the safe and environmentally friendly dish washing liquid, making your highly effective N5,000 cleaning kit complete.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide for Peak Performance

First, make sure there is a complete electrical safety by shutting down your solar inverter and isolating the DC breaker before touching the roof array. It is important to clean in the early morning or late evening as the hot water temperature from the panels could cause thermal shock to the glass and crack it when exposed to full sunlight in the afternoon.

Second, remove the top layer of material with a gentle brush or a garden hose with low pressure. Avoid pressure washers, hard plastic brushes or abrasive wire sponges as they will cause micro-scratches to the tempered glass, scattering the sunlight and reducing the efficiency over time.

Third, clean the surface systematically with your soapy water solution and sponge extension in order to carefully remove any stuck bird droppings and baked-on dirt. Use the rubber squeegee side to keep the glass from getting hard water stains and mineral streaks, since the hard water and minerals block sunlight from reaching the solar cells below the glass.