When it comes to solar power, we often think about sunny days and the occasional rain shower to keep panels clean. But what about solar panels floating on water? While rain might help, these unique systems face a whole different set of challenges. Imagine constant humidity, stubborn algae, messy bird droppings, and even drifting debris—all working against your system’s efficiency.
These aren’t just minor annoyances; they can seriously impact how much power your floating solar system generates and even shorten its lifespan. That’s why a proactive, year-round preventive cleaning strategy isn’t just a good idea, it’s absolutely essential. Investing in ongoing maintenance ensures your floating solar system continues to operate at its peak, delivering maximum performance for years to come.
Make Inspections Routine, Not Reactive
Monthly visual checks help you catch issues early. Look for cloudy film, discoloration, watermarks, or algae. Stick to a set schedule, even if your output looks fine, to stay ahead of performance dips.
Use the Right Tools
When it’s time to clean, go gentle: soft brushes, filtered water, and squeegees work best. Avoid harsh chemicals, especially near sensitive aquatic environments. For larger sites, consider solar-safe cleaning kits or water-fed pole systems.
Prevent Before You Scrub
Prevention reduces the need for constant cleaning. Bird deterrents, splash guards, and UV-resistant coatings act like sunscreen for your panels, shielding them from common sources of buildup.
Track and Compare Performance
Monitoring tools can help you catch unexpected drops in solar panel performance, which are often caused by grime buildup. Remember, not every dip in efficiency points to a mechanical issue; sometimes, it’s just dirt! Let your performance data guide your cleaning schedule to ensure optimal energy production.
Consider Automation
For large or hard-to-reach systems, robotics can reduce manual labor and improve efficiency. While they’re not always necessary, they’re useful in high-debris environments where frequent cleaning is a must.
Solaris Hydrobotics offers a patented, AI-powered robot that uses water to clean commercial, floating, and agrivoltaic solar panels. This autonomous, rail-free, and rooftop-compatible robot can remove up to 99.5% of dirt, which can increase your energy output by 10% to 25%.
The robot connects to a software platform that helps reduce labor, water use, and system downtime. Solaris provides smart leasing and a quick ROI, so you can see rapid returns through savings and improved performance. Using robots also creates a safer environment for your workers by eliminating dangerous tasks and boosting morale.
AccuSolar’s floating solar platforms are engineered for maximum efficiency and accessibility. They are the only systems on the market that can integrate robotics for automated cleaning, ensuring your panels operate at peak performance. For maintenance, our integrated walkways provide safe and easy access to every panel, making cleaning and upkeep simple, even without automated solutions.
Keeping your solar panels clean is crucial for several reasons beyond just looks. It maximizes energy output, extends your system’s lifespan, and prevents performance issues. By following the right cleaning practices and adopting a proactive approach, your floating solar system will consistently provide reliable energy throughout the year. Contact us to discover more about our floating solar systems.
