Does cleaning a panel with hard water make a difference?

Without a doubt. Hard water can accumulate on solar panels and leave behind water spots. The collection of this spotting can cause a reduction in electrical output, reverse polarity or “hot spotting” which can kill a solar panel.

Years of neglect can leave solar panels layered with dirt, droppings, and hard water stain.

This is why ShinePro Window Cleaning does not recommend simply standing on a ladder and spraying water from a hose onto your solar panels. You want to ensure that any water left on a panel is not hard water.
What is hard water? Hard water is water that has a high mineral content. Hard water is generally not harmful to one’s health, but can create havoc when applied to solar panels. The primary concern for hard water spotting on solar panels is the combined levels of iron and calcium. Most areas of the Coachella Valley have hard water.

Solar panels should be cleaned every six months to avoid heavy grime buildup

Hard water also forms deposits that clog plumbing and etch or spot. These deposits, called “scale“, are composed mainly of calcium, magnesium and iron

Hard water needs to be treated. For residential and small business applications here in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage, you may wish to consider a whole house water softener which will not only protect your solar panels but will work to reduce clogging of pipes, scaling and etching of plumbing fixtures.

ShinePro Window Cleaning recommends cleaning panels during the hours of darkness and low wind, so as to avoid the heat of the day that is so common here in Indian Wells and La Quinta. While cooler panels do provide additional output, spraying cold water on glass in hot sunny weather is not recommended. Some manufacturers have suggested that it may create micro-fracture in the glass.

If you are local to the greater Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, or Beaumont, California area, you’re in luck. ShinePro Window Cleaning is your local window washer, solar panel cleaning, and gutter cleaning professionals.

Brandon Scott, COO of ShinePro Window Cleaning

Call today to schedule your appointment!