Don’t skip solar panel cleaning—your wallet will thank you

When July turns to August, it can feel like the summer months really start to fly by. Before we know it, the autumn leaves will fall in New England, and temperatures will cool enough in Southern California for a dusty desert hike.

With the changing seasons come new routines and practices: Raking leaves, clearing the gutters—and cleaning your solar panels to maximize their energy production. 

While going solar is pretty much a "set it and forget it" way to power your home with renewable energy, depending on where you live, you’ll still need to clean your solar panels once or twice a year to ensure you get the maximum energy benefit from your solar investment.

“Coastal areas, agricultural zones, and high-traffic or industrial regions tend to accumulate more dust, salt, or debris, making more frequent cleaning essential for maintaining system output,” Marlon Porter, owner of OnPoint Solar Cleaning in San Diego, told EnergySage. “Our customers typically see a 10-25% increase in performance, depending on how dirty the panels were prior to cleaning and how long it had been since the last service.”

Keeping your solar panels clear of debris helps maximize efficiency by allowing them to absorb the most sunlight possible. When dust or other particles cover your panels, it means they won’t be able to produce as much power—and that ultimately means you’ll lose some of the financial benefits of going solar. That’s why it’s important to keep up your solar panel maintenance, and clean them about every six months if you live in a dry or dusty environment. 

If you have experience working on roofs, cleaning your solar panels is a relatively simple process you can likely do yourself. Otherwise, we recommend hiring a professional service to do it for you.

Your solar panels need to be exposed to sunlight to produce power. If they get dirty or build up layers of grime and dust over time, those pollutants and particles will prevent your panels from absorbing as much sunlight as possible. 

In general, you should clean your solar panels about every six months—but it really depends on your location. If you live somewhere where it rains a lot, you won’t need to clean your panels as often as someone who lives in a dry and dusty area where debris builds up more quickly. 

“Most systems benefit from cleaning twice a year, usually in the spring and fall,” Porter said. “In areas with high dust, pollen, bird activity, or nearby industry, quarterly cleanings may be recommended to maintain peak efficiency.”

In many parts of the country, occasional rain is typically enough to naturally and safely keep your solar panels clean and free of debris that could lower their energy production. So, if you get a good amount of rain this year, you can likely skip a cleaning or two.

Still, a good cleaning every once in a while can always help maximize your system’s output, no matter where you live.

Areas that require regular solar panel cleanings

• Desert climates: Places like the U.S. Southwest need more regular cleanings due to the large amount of dust and sand that can affect a solar energy system's output.

• Areas near highways, factories, and airports: These places tend to be more polluted, so solar panels should be cleaned more frequently to avoid residue buildup from pollutants that could result from heavy traffic and machinery nearby.

• Heavily wooded areas: Solar panels should be frequently cleaned in heavily wooded areas to prevent obstructions like overgrown vegetation and bird droppings.

Should you remove snow from your solar panels?

Snow typically slides off solar panels on its own, so you don’t usually need to remove it yourself. 

Solar panels are installed at an angle, meaning snow will naturally slide off as it melts. But if snow persists on your panels, you can invest in tools like a solar panel snow rake. You shouldn’t use a standard broom, shovel, or any other non-specialized tool to remove snow from panels, as these tools can scratch the panel glass and lower your solar power production.

Just like washing your car, you can also DIY solar panel upkeep. However, using soap and water on your roof is much more risky than in your driveway. If you lack experience working on roofs, we recommend hiring a professional solar panel cleaner. 

Even if you’re a diligent cleaner, a professional solar panel cleaning company is likely better equipped to safely clean and maintain rooftop systems with all the necessary equipment. Scratching or damaging the glass in any way will reduce a panel's energy production—much more than any removable soot or dust buildup will—and potentially void your warranty, so it’s best to leave it to the professionals. It’ll usually only cost you around $150-$350.

Hiring a professional solar panel cleaner is the safest option

“Professional cleanings are more effective thanks to purified water systems and non-abrasive tools designed specifically for solar panels. But more importantly, safety is our top priority,” Porter said. “Climbing ladders and working on roofs come with a high risk of injury. Our technicians are OSHA-certified, fully trained in fall protection, and compliant with all safety standards.” 

“We do not take ladder safety lightly and strongly discourage DIY cleaning on elevated surfaces,” he said.

Professional cleaning may not be necessary for ground-mounted systems because you can safely and effectively clean your panels with a water hose, dish soap, and a soft rag without climbing onto your roof—just be aware of the ingredients in your cleaning products. 

“Using tap water or abrasive materials can lead to hard water stains, residue buildup, or even surface damage, reducing the efficiency and lifespan of the panels,” said Porter.

Solar lease agreements often include a maintenance clause that may cover regular cleanings. However, keep in mind that it can sometimes be hard to get the company to come back to your house to perform any maintenance once they’ve installed your system.

If you own your solar panels, your original installer may clean them for a small fee or offer bundle deals with local cleaning companies. Some companies perform regular maintenance on their panels, including washing services, while others just repair damages the customer reports. You’ll need to read the fine print of your agreement before signing it to determine whether cleaning services are included. 

“We partner with many solar installers and asset managers across California and offer custom maintenance packages, which may include regular cleanings, performance checks, and visual inspections to ensure systems are running at optimal levels,” Porter told EnergySage.

Just like clearing out your gutters or checking your HVAC filters, solar panel cleaning is a simple task that can pay off over time—especially as dust, pollen, and debris build up with the changing seasons.

Keeping your panels clean helps protect your investment and ensures your system produces as much energy—and savings—as possible. A quick rinse in the spring and fall could be all you need, but if you live in a dusty or high-pollution area, consider scheduling cleanings more regularly.