How Often Should You Clean Solar Panels in Boise?
For most homes in Boise and the Treasure Valley, every 6 to 12 months is enough. Go twice a year if you live near fields, gravel roads, construction or trees. Here’s what gets panels dirty here, and how to tell when yours are due.
What gets solar panels dirty here
- Dust. Dry summers, open farm ground and all the new construction around the valley mean a steady film of dust on every flat surface, panels included.
- Pollen and cottonwood fluff. Spring pollen sticks to the glass, and fluff collects along the edges of the panels.
- Wildfire smoke and ash. In some summers, smoke leaves a sticky film that rain doesn’t rinse off. More on that in our smoke and ash guide.
- Bird droppings. They bake onto the glass and shade the cells underneath, and they don’t wash off in the rain.
Doesn’t the rain clean them?
Not really, and it doesn’t rain much here anyway. A light rain mostly moves dust around and leaves it in a line along the bottom edge of each panel. Sticky films and bird droppings stay put, and panels with a low tilt hold on to dirt longer.
Signs your panels need cleaning
- You can see a film of dust, pollen or droppings from the ground.
- There’s a line of dirt along the bottom edge of the panels.
- Your monitoring app shows less power on clear, sunny days than it did at the same time last year.
The best times to clean panels in the Treasure Valley
- Late spring, after the pollen and cottonwood fluff, so your panels are clean for the long summer days when they make the most power.
- Late summer or early fall, after the dusty months and smoke season.
If you only clean once a year, late spring is the one to pick.
How we clean solar panels
We clean panels with soft brushes and pure, filtered water at low pressure. No harsh chemicals, no pressure washer and nothing that scratches the glass, and because the water has its minerals filtered out, it dries without spots. We’re fully insured, and you can add solar panel cleaning to your window cleaning visit so everything gets done in one trip.
Should you clean them yourself?
Panels on the ground are easy to look after yourself. Panels on the roof mean ladder and roof work, and that’s where most of the risk is. If you do it yourself:
- Check your panel maker’s cleaning instructions first. Some warranties spell out how panels should be cleaned.
- Clean in the cool of the morning or evening. Cold water on hot glass is hard on panels, and the sun dries the water into spots.
- Use a soft brush and plain water. No pressure washer, no abrasive pads, no harsh cleaners.
- Never walk or lean on the panels.
Rather stay off the roof? Get a free quote or call or text (208) 484-5207, Monday through Saturday, 8am to 7pm.