Dirt vs Your Solar Panels: A battle You Can Win

Solar panels are an essential part of our renewable energy. They tirelessly collect sunlight and convert it into electricity. However, a silent adversary hides within this system: dirt. In this article, we’ll look at why dirt, dust or, more generally, Soiling on your panels is a bigger problem than you might think.

The impact of dirt on solar panels

Think of solar panels as a camera that captures life’s moments. Now imagine placing a dirty lens in front of that camera. The result? A drop in image quality. Similarly, when dirt, dust and all manner of external debris, settle on your solar panels, their ability to absorb and convert sunlight reduces. The result? LESS ENERGY PRODUCTION.

Dirt acts as a barrier, preventing the panels from doing their job. It disperses and absorbs sunlight, reducing energy production. The more dirt accumulates, the less efficient the panels become, resulting in considerable energy losses over time. That’s why it’s essential to keep them clean.

Benefits of monitoring energy losses from solar panels?

Less energy production

It’s crucial to carefully monitor energy losses due to dirt on your solar panels, mainly because of the reduced amount of electricity your system produces. When dirt, dust and debris accumulate on the panels, they act as a cover that reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the photovoltaic cells. As a result, less energy is produced. This can pose a significant problem, especially for those who rely on their solar panels to supply their energy needs.

Increased costs of maintenance

Dirty solar panels require more maintenance to remain efficient. The presence of dirt and debris can damage panels, resulting in higher repair costs. Moreover, panel cleaning can be time-consuming and costly, especially if panels are installed in hard-to-reach locations or require specialized equipment. Keeping panels clean reduces maintenance costs and extends the life of the entire system.

Savings and investment

Keeping your solar panels clean can also save you money. Dirty panels mean a loss of energy production, but cleaning too often can be costly and have an impact on your finances.

Our solution to the problem

We, as SEVEN SENSOR, have designed an intelligent solution that assesses dust levels, in other words energy loss, and gives you the right to choose the best cleaning schedule for your solar system, taking into account the dust rate measured by our solution: Soiling Sensor. This is based on a variety of data, including the performance of your system, and the value of the energy produced. In addition, we take into account certain aspects, such as local weather conditions, in our calculations. All you have to do is define your location in our system and obtain your system’s unique data from our software.

In conclusion, the next time you look at your solar panels, remember that dirt isn’t just a minor inconvenience, it’s a terrible enemy. Your panels deserve a clear view of the sun, and you deserve to get the full benefits of your solar investment.

By taking care of your solar panels, you’re not just reducing energy losses; you’re making the more conscious choice for cleaner energy and more savings. It’s a win-win situation. So, don’t hesitate to contact our team for more information.