Art may be subjective, but no one appreciates the Jackson Pollock those birds made on your solar panels.

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Fortunately, the average solar panel cleaning service cost pales in comparison to fine art. Learn what you can expect to pay for solar panel cleaning and how to determine if it's worth it.

Solar Panel Cleaning Services: How Much You'll Pay

On average, people pay around $325 (CAD 441) to have their solar panels cleaned, according to data from HomeGuide. Keep in mind most residential solar systems consist of 15 to 25 solar panels. However, the size and number of panels that need to be cleaned aren't the only factors impacting solar panel cleaning prices.

How Much Does a Solar Panel Cleaning Service Cost?

The cost of the average solar panel cleaning service ranges between $10 and $25 (CAD 14 and CAD 34) per panel, with most companies charging a $100 (CAD 136) minimum. Additional factors that can affect the cost of a solar panel cleaning service include:

• Panel type

• Mounting location

• Panel condition

• Cleaning method

• Location

While it's safe to clean most panels with water and a mild cleanser, some manufacturers have stringent guidelines on the quality of water used when cleaning. Lack of the appropriate type of water, or being in a location with limited water access, could make other cleaning methods preferable. Vibration cleaning, for example, knocks dust and debris off panels without using any water.

Solar panels mounted on steep roofs and other difficult-to-access areas typically command higher charges due to the increased danger and time required to clean safely. It also takes more time to clean when solar panels have an exceptionally large amount of debris, resulting in higher cleaning costs.

Robotic cleaners and other solar panel cleaning equipment can further increase cleaning costs as service providers seek to offset their investment.

How Often Should You Have Your Solar Panels Cleaned?

While it ultimately comes down to your environment, for most homeowners, cleaning solar panels once or twice a year is sufficient.

If your solar panels are beneath one or several trees, expect to clean them more often. In drier environments, solar panels may accumulate substantial dust, requiring more frequent cleanings. Ideally, your home receives ample rainfall and removes most dirt and debris automatically.

More Related Articles:

• How Much Does It Cost to Install Solar Panels?

• How to Prepare for Solar Panel Installation

• What Are Solar Shingles … and Do They Work?

• Thinking About a Solar Water Heater? Here Are the Pros and Cons

• How to Install Solar Panels: 6 Steps to Daylight Savings

Is Solar Panel Cleaning Worth It?

Whether the cost of cleaning solar panels is worth it depends on you and the nature of your solar installation. If you generate significantly more electricity than you use, a large drop in efficiency may not even affect you.

If you're still debating whether you should pay someone to clean your solar panels or do it yourself, keep the following in mind:

• Roof-mounted installations carry a heightened risk of injury.

• Working in unpleasant weather can't always be avoided. You must protect against

  heat stroke

  and

  hypothermia

  in the summer and winter, respectively.

• Aggressive cleaning with abrasive materials, high-pressure water and corrosive cleaning agents can damage panels and require costly repairs.

• Determine if paying someone to clean your solar panels will impact your lifestyle.

• Eventually, after enough dirt and debris accumulate, paying someone to clean your solar panels will cost less money than doing nothing.

Ideal Cleaning Time

If you've had your solar system for a while but never cleaned your panels, it's easy to determine the best time to do so. All you need is a cleaning quote, old utility statements and some basic math.

Calculate your average monthly energy consumption, in kilowatt-hours, during the first 12 months following your solar system installation and for the preceding 12 months. Assuming no changes to your household energy consumption patterns or your solar system, the average for the recent time period should be greater. Multiply the difference between the averages with your utility provider's cost per kilowatt-hour. This is approximately what it costs you each month to not clean your solar panels.

Now, divide your solar panel cleaning quote by your monthly cost for keeping dirty panels. The number you get is a reasonable approximation of how long it will take to recoup your cost for solar panel cleaning.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.