Solar panels are a fantastic long-term investment for your home, offering lower energy bills and cleaner natural resources to stay warm.
In winter, however, with the burden of snow, ice, and longer nights and less intense sunshine in play, panels need a little more TLC to offer the same benefits as warmer times of the year, as well as avert any risk that its power cuts out during a critical time.
Luckily, you don’t need to clamber onto ladders in the cold to keep your panels efficient in winter. This $30 SnowBuster Tool from Amazon is more than enough to clean solar panels safely and efficiently, experts assure.
Why You Need to Clean Solar Panels in Winter
The SnowBuster is made out of soft yet super sturdy foam to ensure zero scratching on your solar panels or other delicate items, such as your car's paintwork, when removing snow.
Solar panels are more important in winter than at any other time of the year, offering a valuable backup power source when preparing a house for cold weather and potential adverse conditions. They can even be a lifesaver when preparing a home for power cuts resulting from freezes and snowstorms.
The Eversprout has three size options, with the largest allowing a reach of 24 feet to safely remove snow from panels from the ground. The lightweight aluminum pole weighs only 1.5 pounds for easy maneuverability to scrape away snow buildup carefully, and is telescopic, so it can be easily stashed in shed storage ideas between uses. It is also ideal for use on cars, roofs, windows, and trailers, making it a great investment tool for snowy areas.
Sequoya Cross, vice president of energy storage at Briggs and Stratton Energy Solutions, explains that failing to clean snow and ice buildup from panels in winter can block power generation, adding that even a light covering at the base of a panel can be enough to reduce production.
While most correctly installed panels are designed for snow to slide off, if powdery or heavy snow is blocking your panel, it can be helpful to dislodge it manually without climbing on the roof – a winter home maintenance mistake Aequoya strongly advises against.
She explains, ‘You should also avoid walking on the solar panels as not only is this dangerous, but walking on the panels causes microcracks that can impact the performance of the panels over time.
'If the snow is powdery and the solar array is accessible, a leaf blower [such as this cordless leaf blower from Walmart] can remove the top-most layers, allowing the sun to do the rest.'
For more stubborn snow, she recommends special long-reach tools that will not scratch the glass, such as the Eversprout Never-Scratch SnowBuster [available at Amazon. She adds, 'You only need to clear a patch to allow the sun to heat up the balance of the panel. If temperatures are above freezing, you can spray with cold water.’
As with removing snow from a driveway or de-icing garden paths and patios, Sequoya reminds us to never use hot or warm water to melt snow, as sudden temperature changes can cause expensive damage to the panel below. Similarly, avoid using metal scrapers, shovels, or hard-bristle brushes, she adds. It is generally advised to avoid using de-icing sprays on solar panels as well, as harsh chemicals could damage protective coatings.
Don’t fancy adding this task to your outdoor home maintenance schedule? Sequoya assures us, ‘There are several companies that will do panel cleaning safely if your installer does not.’
If you are worried about damaging panels or don't have time to do a careful job, it might be time to call the pros.
What to Shop
This SnowBuster tool comes with a 12-foot extension pole designed to help reach roofs without a ladder.
This extending microfiber duster is ideal for removing dust and debris from solar panels year-round.
For more thorough cleaning, this water-fed cleaning brush is ideal, helping to dislogde stuck on grime, grease, and debris from the ground.
While you are cleaning your solar panels, clean your gutters as well to prevent water damage to your roof and unexpected leaks indoors.
For a small boost to reach roofs, use a small step ladder with your extending pole tools.
You can use a leaf blower to blow snow and debris from accessible solar panels, mitigating the risk of scratches and damage.
Meet the Expert
Clearing snow from solar panels is a must to keep energy production efficient in winter, but there are some places you shouldn’t clear snow from around your property to prevent damage and save yourself time.
