​​​HANDYMAN

Solar panels are generally self cleaning, but in particularly dry areas or where panel tilt is minimal, dust and other substances such as bird droppings, dirt and pollen can build up over time and impact on the amount electricity generated by a module. Grime and bird poop doesn’t need to cover an entire panel to have an effect.  When sunlight hits a solar cell, it excites the electrons in the semiconductor material, and it's this energy that can be captured as electricity. If the cells aren't clean, then less sunlight is able to be absorbed and less electricity is generated. This is where cleaning solar panels may have to be done.