Businesses and homes missing out on full energy generation potential due to dirty solar panels

Thousands of businesses and homes could be left out of pocket this summer according to experts from Rentokil Specialist Hygiene. The organisation, which has launched a new solar panel cleaning service to boost the efficiency of domestic and commercial electricity generation, warns that dirty solar panels will see businesses and homes potentially miss out on the equivalent of up to seven hours of sunshine a day.

With more than 14 hours of daylight due to fall on the UK’s 14.6GW of residential, commercial and industrial rooftop solar capacity per day, Rentokil Specialist Hygiene warns that energy generation could be cut by up to half due to dust and pollen coating the panels. Dry and hot periods result in dirt settling on solar panels reducing their efficiency and decreasing their power output by up to half by blocking or scattering the incoming sunlight. Manufacturers recommend that panels are regularly cleaned to maximise their efficiency.

To boost Britain’s generation potential Rentokil Specialist Hygiene’s solar panel cleaning service uses pure deionised water to remove dirt and debris from solar panels without leaving lime deposits behind on the glass, and is twice as fast as traditional techniques.

Jamie Woodhall, UK Technical and Innovations Manager at Rentokil Specialist Hygiene commented: “One in six homes and businesses now have solar panels yet few of us realise just how much money we could be missing out on by failing to have them regularly cleaned. Manufacturers recommend panels are cleaned up to twice a year, and with hotter, drier springs and summers in the UK becoming more common, dust and pollen deposits are a growing problem. 

“Failing to clean your solar panels could cut your generation capacity by the equivalent of seven hours per day in August, reducing output to the same levels as the depths of winter. Our advanced solar panel cleaning services remove dirt and debris from solar panels without damage or residue, helping them to maintain their maximum efficiency and prevent long term performance decreases.”