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. An infrared 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.