Solar Panel Warranty & Cleaning: What You Need to Know
Cleaning your solar panels the wrong way can void your warranty. Here's what panel manufacturers actually require — and how to stay covered.
Solar panel warranties are typically 25 years on power output and 10–12 years on the product itself. That's a lot of coverage — and it's surprisingly easy to void it with the wrong cleaning method.
What panel manufacturers require
Most major panel manufacturers (REC, LG, Panasonic, Q-Cells, etc.) specify pure-water cleaning with soft brushes only. They explicitly prohibit detergents, abrasive pads, and pressure washing. Some require professional cleaning at specified intervals.
How to stay covered
Use a professional solar cleaning company with documented pure-water methodology. Keep the cleaning report. If you ever need to file a warranty claim, you'll have the documentation to show your maintenance was warranty-compliant.
Why thermal inspections protect your warranty too
Most panel warranties have a clock — claim windows that close at 10 or 12 years. A FLIR thermal inspection catches failing panels while they're still under warranty. Without it, you'll discover the failure after the warranty has expired and pay out of pocket.