How Often Should I Clean My Solar Panels in El Centro?
Spoiler: If you live in the Imperial Valley, it’s more often than you think.
Why Solar Panels Get Dirty in the Valley
Here in El Centro (and the surrounding towns like Holtville, Brawley, and Imperial), we’ve got:
Dust storms
Farm activity
Ash from burning
And 115° sun baking all of that onto your panels
That grime? It’s not just ugly. It’s blocking your power production.
Does It Really Affect My Bill?
Short answer? Absolutely.
We’ve seen clients gain back 10–30% efficiency after a single cleaning.
That’s the difference between a system that just “runs” and one that pays you back.
Dirty panels = lower savings. Simple as that.
So, How Often Should I Clean?
Here’s our no-fluff rule of thumb for the Imperial Valley:
Every 4–6 months for maximum performance
Every 3–4 months if you're near fields, dust-prone areas, or birds
Right now if you haven't cleaned them in 6+ months and your bill looks weird
The dirt here doesn’t take weekends off. You shouldn’t either.
DIY vs. Pro Cleaning (and What NOT to Do)
We get it — grabbing a hose is tempting.
But here’s what your solar installer won’t tell you:
❌ Hard water leaves spots that bake in and reduce efficiency
❌ Pressure washers can damage panels and void warranties
❌ Rotary brushes are often too aggressive for modern coatings
What we do instead:
✅ 4-stage purified water
✅ Zero pressure
✅ Warranty-safe tools
✅ Expert techniques from an insured local pro
Final Take: A Local’s Rule of Thumb
If your panels haven’t been cleaned in over 4 months?
You’re leaving money on the roof. Literally.
Want to see how much you’ve been losing?
We’ll show you before and after photos. We’ll show you clean panels.
And we’ll never show up with a pressure washer.
📍 We Serve the Whole Imperial Valley:
El Centro • Holtville • Brawley • Calexico • Imperial