Why Sprinkler Cleaning Can Harm Your Solar Panels

Sprinkler cleaning is a common method for solar panel maintenance, but it comes with several hidden drawbacks that can affect performance and longevity.

Water Spots & Mineral Residue: The Hidden Efficiency Killers

Sprinklers often leave behind hard water stains and mineral deposits, which can block sunlight and reduce panel efficiency over time. These deposits create a film that prevents sunlight from reaching the photovoltaic cells, directly impacting your energy production.

In regions with hard water, which is common across many parts of India, these mineral deposits can become particularly problematic, requiring additional cleaning or treatment to remove completely.

Risk of Panel Damage

High-pressure water jets or frequent wetting and drying cycles can cause microcracks or accelerate wear, especially in hot climates. The thermal shock from cold water hitting hot panels can lead to stress on the glass and frame, potentially shortening the lifespan of your investment.

Additionally, water can sometimes find its way into electrical components if seals are compromised, creating safety hazards and potential for system failures.

Wasted Water: An Unsustainable Practice

Sprinkler systems consume large amounts of water—an unsustainable practice, especially in drought-prone regions like Maharashtra. For a 1 MW solar plant, traditional sprinkler cleaning can use upwards of 10,000 liters of water per month.

In a country where water scarcity is a growing concern, this level of consumption for panel cleaning is increasingly difficult to justify, both environmentally and economically.

Uneven Cleaning: Patchy Results

Sprinklers may not effectively remove stubborn dirt, pollen, or bird droppings, leading to patchy cleaning and persistent soiling. These systems typically rely on the volume of water rather than targeted cleaning action, resulting in inconsistent results across your solar array.

Areas with particularly stubborn soiling often remain dirty, creating "hot spots" that can affect the performance of entire strings of panels due to the way they're electrically connected.

The Cost Factor

While sprinkler systems may seem cost-effective initially, the long-term expenses add up:

• Water costs (increasingly expensive in many regions)
• Additional cleaning required to remove mineral deposits
• Potential repair costs from water damage
• Lost energy production due to inefficient cleaning

Conclusion

While sprinklers seem convenient, they can actually harm your solar panels and waste valuable resources. There's a better way to clean—efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

At Jagrut Automation, we've developed waterless cleaning solutions that address all these concerns, providing thorough cleaning without the drawbacks of traditional water-based methods.