Solar panels and panel brands

What Cleaning Methods Do Panel Makers Allow When You Hire a Cleaning Service?

Published September 23, 2026 · By the SolarPanelX editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

It depends on the brand. REC allows a garden hose at household water pressure and soft sponges, microfiber cloths or non-abrasive brushes, and says pressure or steam cleaners, knives, blades and metallic sponges will invalidate its warranty. JinkoSolar lists cleaning agents and alcohol among the chemicals its modules must not touch, while REC permits a mild washing-up liquid and isopropyl alcohol below 10%.

REC's cleaning guide

REC's first choice is de-ionized water, with rainwater, tap water or diluted alcohol as fallbacks. For stubborn dirt it allows a mild, biodegradable washing-up liquid as long as the panel is rinsed straight away with plenty of water. Acid and alkaline detergents are out.

Timing matters to REC as well. Panels should be cleaned while they are still cool, before they reach working temperature in the early morning, and only with water at ambient temperature, to avoid thermal shock. The guide sets no schedule and says to clean when dirt can be seen on the glass.

Canadian Solar, JinkoSolar and Trina Solar

Canadian Solar's installation manual (July 2020 edition) says modules tilted at least 15 degrees generally may not need cleaning, because rain does the job. When washing is needed, it calls for water and a non-abrasive sponge during the cool part of the day, warns that scraping or rubbing off dry dirt may cause micro scratches, and says snow should come off with a soft brush.

JinkoSolar's manual (A1.8, May 2026) names petrol, oil, acetone, alcohol, cleaning agents, herbicides, rust inhibitors and descaling agents among the chemicals modules must not contact. Modules at a shallow tilt, below about 10 degrees, need more frequent cleaning.

Trina Solar's Vertex Series manual (Ver. P, August 2026) calls for protective equipment such as insulated gloves and shoes during cleaning work, and says operation or maintenance that ignores the manual invalidates the product's limited warranty.

Nobody stands on the panels

All four manufacturers forbid standing or walking on modules. Canadian Solar's U.S. manual (July 2026) explains that localized loads can compromise reliability and void the warranty. Qcells' U.S. FAQ tells owners who see production drop to contact their installer to schedule cleaning and maintenance.

Sources

We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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