PV system cleaning – How to increase your electricity yield

Regular cleaning of your PV system can have a significant impact on its efficiency. Dirty solar modules lose power as dust, pollen or bird droppings obstruct the sun's rays. But when is cleaning really worthwhile and which equipment is best suited?

What cleaning options are there?

There are different approaches to PV cleaning. While light soiling can be washed off by rain, this often does not help with stubborn residues such as pollen, Sahara sand, leaves, needles, bird droppings or algae. In this case, it is advisable to clean a photovoltaic system yourself or to hire a professional company. However, if you want to save the costs of a cleaning service, you can use suitable photovoltaic cleaning kits and clean the photovoltaic system yourself.

What suitable equipment is available?

There are various methods available for PV cleaning. You can clean the PV system yourself or use automatic systems. However, manual cleaning is more cost-efficient. It is best to use a telescopic washing brush to reach modules that are difficult to access without ladders. The washing brush with telescopic handle from toolmacher® is an excellent choice here, enabling thorough and gentle cleaning. This tool makes cleaning particularly easy and efficient.

Use limescale-free water or rainwater

Water quality is a key aspect of photovoltaic cleaning. Tap water often contains limescale, which leaves unsightly residues on the modules and reduces efficiency. It is therefore ideal to use demineralized water or rainwater to avoid streaks. The use of special photovoltaic cleaner can also help to remove dirt without leaving any residue. Any cleaning agent can be added to the toolmacher® telescopic brush using the integrated soap dispenser with dosing function.

What increase in my electricity yield do I achieve by cleaning?

Cleaning the PV system can noticeably increase the electricity yield. Studies show that dirty modules generate up to 20% less power. Regular photovoltaic cleaning can significantly minimize this loss. Especially in dusty regions or with modules that have not been cleaned for a long time, a noticeable increase in performance can be achieved by using a PV cleaning brush for photovoltaics.

Watch the following video to see how cleaning the PV system affects the electricity yield: