In Pakistan, as the trend of solar grows, people have started entering the solar panel cleaning business. The need for solar panel cleaning is increasing as more and more people are switching to solar energy. But that doesn’t mean that one can get into solar panel cleaning without any information. There have been accidents of people dying because of current from solar panels. To avoid any unfortunate event like this, it is important to learn safety tips for cleaning solar panels.
Read this article to learn how you can stay safe while cleaning solar panels and complete your task without risking your safety or damaging your solar system.
Why is there a need for cleaning solar panels?
With time, solar panels can become dirty because of dirt, debris, pollen, bird droppings, and other such issues. The accumulation of these particles on your solar panels can lead to low efficiency of solar panels as it reduces their ability to absorb sunlight and generate electricity.
Keeping your solar panels clean is necessary to make sure they provide the best outcome. However, to clean your solar panels, you don’t have to risk your safety. Follow these tips and clean your solar panels without risking your safety.
1- Never wash solar panels during peak time
A lot of people get confused when they are told not to wash solar panels during the day, but it is one of the basic reasons why we observe so many deaths while people wash solar panels. Solar panels generate DC (direct current), which is far more dangerous than AC (alternating current) that we have for daily use. During the day, when sunlight is at its peak, the solar power generation is also high, as it is generating direct current there is a chance of electric shock. As we mentioned, DC as compared to AC is far more dangerous; the electric shock from a solar panel can result in immediate death.
Therefore, it is recommended to clean your solar panels and its components during the evening or early in the morning, preferably during Fajar or Maghrib time. At these times, the solar power generation isn’t at peak, which means lesser chances of electric shock. Similarly, it is recommended to never clean solar panels during storms or rainy seasons to avoid electric hazards.
2- Turn off your solar system
Turning off your solar system isn’t extremely necessary if you are cleaning solar panels during the evening and following other safety practices. However, exercising this practice can be a safe step to avoid any accident. You will need to turn off the inverter to stop the flow of electricity. It will help minimize the risk of electric shocks. But it is very important to know how to safely turn off and on the solar system.
A pro tip here’s to never touch the underside of your solar panels. If you think that part of your solar system needs cleaning because of excess dirt and debris, then it is better to call a professional. So, you don’t end up hurting yourself or damaging the surface and the electrical components of your solar system.
3- Inspect your solar panels
It is one of the most crucial steps that most people avoid. Make sure to check your solar panels before you start cleaning them. Look for any cracks or loose wires, and in case you notice any such issue, then it is recommended to first call a professional to repair it. The reason this inspection is necessary is because loose wiring or cracks in solar glass can become the cause of any loss or injury.
Make sure your panel is in good working order and there aren’t any damages in the glass. Check if there are any large objects on your solar panels, such as leaves or sticks. Also, make sure before you clean your panels that there aren’t any small objects, like stones, touching the glass of your panel. Because during the cleaning of your panels, it can scratch the glass. Inspecting for these things can save you from long-term, huge issues which can result in costly repairs and replacements.
4- Ensure proper earthing of your solar panels
Earthing is one of the major steps you need to avoid electrical hazards from your solar system. It basically protects the equipment of your solar system, such as solar panels, junction boxes, and inverters. Earthing is the process of establishing an electrical connection between solar panels and the earth to protect both you and your equipment from electrical shocks. It protects from sudden surges of voltage and lightning strikes.
It will not only protect you but also ensure that your solar system, in which you have invested a lot of money, also functions efficiently by avoiding any degradation in quality.
5- Follow basic safety practices
Even if you are not cleaning solar panels during peak sunlight hours and you have the earthing of your solar system done, you still need to follow basic safety practices. It includes wearing insulated gloves and shoes when you wash solar panels. Also ensure that if you are using a ladder, it is strong and well-mounted on even ground.
Do not avoid any of these practices, as minor negligence can lead to threats to your safety and can also damage your equipment.
Bottom Line
By following these five steps, you can ensure that you are safe while you wash solar panels. It is essential to spread this information to everyone, as there are people who are ignorant of these basic practices and end up hurting themselves, damaging the solar equipment, or unfortunately losing their lives. We hope this article will help you stay safe and educate others around you.