A rooftop solar plant has no moving parts and needs very little attention. But very little isn't none, and Bengal's weather throws something different at it every few months. Here's what to watch for, season by season.
November to March: dust and fog
The dry months are good for generation and bad for dust. On roofs near busy roads, building sites or factories, a layer of dust can build up within a couple of weeks and quietly shave off output. A rinse with plain water every fortnight usually sorts it out.
In North Bengal, winter mornings often start in fog, so generation picks up later in the day. That's normal and already in our monthly estimates. Don't chase it with extra cleaning.
April and May: Kalbaishakhi storms
The pre-monsoon storms bring sudden wind, hail and a lot of lightning. This is when a properly fixed structure, a working lightning arrester and good earthing earn their keep. Before the storm season, it's worth checking that:
- structure bolts and clamps are tight and nothing has rusted through;
- the lightning arrester and its earth connection are intact;
- cables aren't hanging loose or rubbing against sharp edges.
After a big storm, open the monitoring app. If generation on the next clear day is well below normal, call us before anyone climbs onto the roof.
June to September: the monsoon
Rain does a fair amount of cleaning for you, so you can relax the routine. Generation drops on heavy-cloud days, though over a whole month the monsoon still makes more than December and January, the weakest months of the year. That's expected, and under net metering the extra units from sunnier months carry the plant through.
Watch for leaves, moss and bird droppings in shaded corners, and make sure rainwater drains freely and doesn't pool around structure footings.
October: the month to catch up
Once the rain stops, the skies clear and generation climbs again. It's a good time for a thorough clean and the once-a-year check of earthing resistance, connections and the inverter's vents.
How to clean, safely
- Use plain, soft water and a soft brush or mop. No detergents, no pressure washers, no scrubbing pads.
- Clean early in the morning or in the evening, when the panels are cool. Cold water on a hot panel at noon is a bad idea.
- Never walk on the panels. Use the walkways.
- Leave the inverter and distribution boxes closed. They're for a trained technician.
Let the app tell you when something's wrong
The monitoring app is your best maintenance tool. Compare a clear day's units with a similar day a week earlier. A sudden drop usually means a tripped breaker, a loose connector or a dirty array, not a failed panel. If something looks off, send us a screenshot.
Every Solarverse plant comes with a year of free maintenance from commissioning, and AMC plans after that. See what an AMC covers, or read what a plant should generate each month.
Quick answers
How often should solar panels be cleaned in West Bengal?
About every two weeks in the dry, dusty months, with plain water. Less often during the monsoon.
Can I clean solar panels with soap or a pressure washer?
No. Use plain soft water and a soft brush. Detergents and pressure washers can damage the glass coating and seals.
What should I check after a storm?
Look at the monitoring app on the next clear day. If generation is well below normal, call your installer before anyone goes onto the roof.