Solar panel sensitivity to dust

[TerraTamer]

If your solar panels are mounted to your rooftop tent roofs or truck roofs and you head off road where dust is present. How sensitive are solar panels to dust? Does it completely cripple their effectiveness or will they still work? My new panel isn't in a spot that is easy to clean, which is why I ask.

 

[smritte]

I have one on my rack. Its mostly to keep the batteries from going dead when its parked. Last weekend it almost stopped working. I didn't notice the dirt that accumulated which got wet. Even though I could still see through it, I lost most of the output.
If I was to guess, its been a few months since I cleaned it.

 

[Frank Vos]

Solar panels are very sensitive to dirt and debris, you should figure out a way to access and clean often.

 

[1LoudJT]

A buddy of mine picked up one of these window cleaning kits from Home Deport and while his tent is up he is able to clean everything easily. Its basically a Swiffer pad on a long poll.

 

[Randy]

Dust is a bitch, keep your solar panels clear if you want to maximize your solar input

 

[TerraTamer]

OK, so need to keep clean. Good to know. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Derek Roberts]

Dust and pollen are brutal to a solar panel working properly!

 

[1LoudJT]

Dust and pollen are brutal to a solar panel working properly!

Yep,more reasons to always check your solar!