Solar Panel Cleaning in Mesa, AZ

Solar Panel Cleaning matters more in Mesa than in most places, simply because it rarely rains. The East Mesa weather station averages under 11 inches of rain a year, spread over about 36 days. In wetter climates, showers rinse the glass on a regular schedule. Here, dust settles for weeks or months, and when rain does come in a monsoon storm, it often arrives with a wall of blowing dust first, leaving a muddy film behind.

How much dirt costs you

The answer depends on how dirty the panels are, but one cleaning company owner quoted by EnergySage says customers typically see a 10 to 25 percent bump in output after a cleaning. Dust in the Southwest also tends to bake on in the heat, and bird droppings block light completely on the cells they cover. Dirt that collects along the bottom edge of a tilted panel can shade the lowest row of cells even when the rest of the glass looks fine.

Why we do not pressure wash or scrub

Panel glass has coatings that help it pass light, and scratches cost more output than dust does. Hard water and harsh soap leave spots and film. So we use soft brushes and purified water that dries without spotting. No pressure washer, no abrasive pads, no strong detergents. Cleaning is also done early in the morning, before the glass gets hot, because cold water on hot glass is not a good mix.

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When to clean

EnergySage suggests cleaning about every six months in dry, dusty areas. Many Mesa owners pick spring, before the long summer production season, and fall, after monsoon season clears. If your monitoring shows a slow decline over a few months with no fault codes, dirt is the likely cause.

A cleaning is also a look

While we are on the roof, we keep an eye out for cracked glass, loose wiring, pigeon activity under the array and broken tile around the mounts. If we see something, we photograph it and tell you. A cleaning is not a full inspection, but it is a chance to catch a problem early.