Ventura County, California, has faced devastating wildfires, leaving behind a trail of fine ash on solar panels in Camarillo, Somis, Santa Rosa Valley, and Ventura. This ash cannot be easily washed away by rain or hosing down, posing a significant challenge for solar panel owners. In this article, we will explore the effects of wildfire ash on solar panels and discuss a crucial safety measure for future installations.
Solar panels with Ash and lichen
Effects of Ash on Solar Panels
- Reduction in Light Absorption: Ash and soot from wildfires create a barrier on the surface of solar panels, reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the photovoltaic cells. This can lead to a substantial decrease in efficiency and power output. Studies have shown that solar panel efficiency can drop by as much as 47% in extreme cases, depending on the density of ash and smoke.
- Thermal Impact: The insulating effect of ash can cause solar panels to overheat, which may reduce efficiency and potentially damage the panels over time. While solar panels are designed to handle heat, excessive buildup can exacerbate thermal issues.
- Physical Damage: Larger particles or debris carried by winds during wildfires can physically damage panels, leading to cracks or scratches that impair performance. This physical damage requires immediate attention to prevent further efficiency losses.
- Financial Implications: Soiling buildup, including wildfire ash, not only reduces power generation but also impacts the financial performance of solar systems. Regular cleaning is essential to maintain peak efficiency and realize projected savings.
How to clean ash from solar panels
- At Camarillo Solar Cleaning we use multiple steps to gently and safely remove ash residue from solar panels. The first step is to rinse the panels. This loosens up debris and dirt. The next step is we use special soft brushes to gently scrub your panels with a eco-friendly solar panel cleaning solution. We follow this up with another rinse. The next step is the most crucial and might involve us repeating it. We use a terry cloth and solar panel cleaning solution to remove the fine residue of the solar panels. We rinse again, squeegee the panels and buff them. If you do not like to climb ladders or purchase all the equipment to clean your panels, then let Cam Solar Clean come out and clean your panels
Bonus Safety Tip for New Installations
For those considering installing solar panels, an important safety measure is to install them at a higher gap above the roof. This can help reduce the risk of fire spread by minimizing the potential for flames to propagate between the panels and the roof. While there is no single ideal distance, increasing the gap can decrease flame propagation risk. Click here for more on solar panel sytem configuration
One of the most common ways of creating defensible space is reducing the amount of vegetation that could serve as fuel for a wildfire. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes that utilities create defensible space by paving the ground surrounding utility equipment with concrete to prevent the growth of any fuel that could increase fire risk.
This solution may work for a small-scale PV site where the costs of installing a concrete surface would be more affordable. This solution, however, could create other risks, such as an increase in flooding and runoff risk as well as increasing the heat in summertime operations, which could reduce the PV system’s efficiency. Encasing the ground in concrete for large, utility scale sites is likely unfeasible.
| Recommendation: Follow FEMA or local fire code guidelines for maintaining a defensible perimeter. If vegetation growth is expected within this defensible perimeter, implement a regular O&M vegetation management plan. |
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FEMA recommends that utilities place any sensitive infrastructure underground to reduce its risk of wildfire. Although this is not feasible for PV modules themselves, which need to have surface exposure to work effectively, PV owners may underground certain components of a PV system that are not the PV module itself, such as wire and conduits.
Schedule Your Solar Panel Cleaning Today
If you live in Ventura County and have noticed a decrease in your solar panel efficiency due to wildfire ash, it’s time to take action. Reach out to Camarillo Solar Panel Cleaning today to schedule a professional cleaning service. Their expertise will help restore your solar panels to optimal efficiency, ensuring you maximize your energy savings and contribute to a sustainable future.