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You might wonder why you’d need to clean solar lights since they’re used outside. However, dirt is a common cause of solar light failure. Cleaning them is often the first thing you should do when they malfunction—dirt can block the solar panel or the light source
As a solar street light manufacturer, I would give you the best cleaning methods based on the different types of solar light. Here’s how to clean solar lights for improved brightness and a longer lifespan.
How to clean solar powered street lights?
Solar street lights are commonly used in commercial settings such as highways, rural road lighting, and urban street lighting. Long-term outdoor use, air pollution, dust, and bird droppings can all affect their luminous efficiency. Since solar street lights are usually large, how can we clean solar lights and maintain them to improve their working efficiency?
Cleaning solar street lights usually involves cleaning four main components: the solar panel, the battery, the light head, and the pole.
A lift with small working platform:
Solar street lights are usually way up high on poles, so you’ll probably need a lift with a little platform to get to them
Gather your cleaning supplies:
A soft brush or sponge, a soft cloth, clean water, Protective Gear and a gentle soap.
Turn off the solar powered lights:
Although solar lights operate at low voltages, there’s still a small risk of electric shock, especially if there’s any damage to the wiring or connections. Turning off the light minimizes this risk. This is particularly important if you’re using water or a damp cloth during cleaning.
Clean the solar panel:
- Don’t clean solar panels during the hottest part of the day (around noon). Instead, choose early morning or evening to avoid damage from the heat and prevent water from drying too quickly and leaving spots.
- Use a soft brush, a dry cloth ，Start by removing any loose dirt, dust, leaves, bird droppings, or other debris from the panel surface.
- Dip your soft cloth or sponge into the soapy water and gently wipe the panel surface in a circular motion. Avoid applying excessive pressure，
- Use a clean, dry cloth or a squeegee to remove excess water from the panel surface. This helps prevent water spots and ensures optimal sunlight absorption.
Clean the battery：
Wear protective gear. The battery of a solar street light is usually housed in a dedicated battery box or within the light fixture itself. If it’s in a battery box, simply clean solar lights by cleaning the exterior for dust and grease, and check the tightness of the mounting screws, tightening any loose ones. If it’s inside the light fixture, you can skip cleaning a separate battery box and clean the solar light fixture directly.
We do not recommend opening the battery box or light head to clean or inspect the battery inside. The battery is sealed within the box or light head, which typically has an IP65 protection rating. Only if the light’s battery malfunctions is it necessary to open the battery box or light head
Cleaning the light heads and lenses：
When you clean the solar light head, our focus is on cleaning the lens and the area around the light source, as this is crucial for the light’s performance and efficiency. Street light lenses are commonly made from glass, acrylic (PMMA), or polycarbonate (PC)
- Use a soft brush, microfiber cloth, or compressed air to gently remove any loose dust, dirt, or debris from the lens surface. This is an important first step to prevent scratching during wiping.
- Gently wipe the lens surface in a circular motion. Avoid applying excessive pressure
- If using soap, rinse the cloth frequently with clean water to avoid spreading the dirt around
- Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to gently dry the lens. Avoid rubbing too hard, as this can cause scratches. You can also let the lens air dry in a dust-free environment.
Cleaning the lens is similar to cleaning solar panels
For the light head, simply remove surface dust, leaves, bird droppings, etc. Only stubborn grease or grime will require extra time and specialized degreasers
What is the cost of cleaning solar powered street lights?
Considering a lift with a platform and hired labor, with one worker cleaning approximately 20 lights per day, a lift (over 5 meters) costing roughly $150-$300 per day, labor at around $250 per day, and cleaning supplies, the cost to clean one solar street light is around $22.5-$30.
Can We Finally Say Goodbye to Cleaning Solar Street Lights?
Yes, of course. Bestsolarlight offers a solar street light with self-cleaning and bird deterrent features. This product has attracted customers worldwide since its launch, especially in developed countries like Europe and the US, where lift rental and labor costs are particularly high.
All-In-One Solar Street Lamp with Self-cleaning
Welcome to Bestsolarlight 2025 self-cleaning Series High Power Integrated Solar Street Light—your premier solution for efficient and sustainable heavy dust storms way illumination.
Designed for maximum performance, this cutting-edge light fixture integrates advanced solar technology with high-capacity LEDs to deliver exceptional brightness and reliability. Engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions and provide long-lasting service, it ensures enhanced visibility and safety on highways while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.
The Series is the ideal choice for harsh conditions, particularly valuable in dusty, arid, or remote areas where manual cleaning solar lights is difficult or expensive. They are also beneficial in urban environments with high levels of pollution.
The cleaning will do three times a day is generally not required ,in certain circumstances, such as after heavy dust storms, it may be beneficial.
It can achieve 12 hours of full brightness without dimming mode to keep it super bright for the whole night to meet your project needs.
It automatically cleans itself once a day, and the solar panel continues to charge the battery during non-operational hours, significantly improving the efficiency of the solar lights
How to cleaning your home solar lights
There are many types of home solar lights, each designed for different purposes ，like solar pathway Lights ，solar spotlights,solar floodlights, solar garden lights,solar wall lights and solar Post Lights,
These home solar lights, compared to solar street lights, are smaller, easier to clean, and have lower cleaning costs. For specific cleaning steps, please refer to the video below, which also includes written instructions
Gather Your Supplies ：
Soft Cloth or Sponge， they are gentle and won’t scratch the solar panels.Warm Water，Mild Soap (Optional)，Hose or Spray Bottle，Soft-bristled Brush (Optional)，Ladder or Step Stool (If necessary): For reaching higher lights. Exercise caution when using these.
Safety First:
Turn Off the Lights (If Possible): This isn’t always possible with all solar lights, but if there’s an on/off switch, turn them off to prevent any electrical hazards.
Remove Loose Debris:
Use a soft-bristled brush or dry cloth to gently remove any loose dirt, dust, leaves, or bird droppings from the solar panel and the light fixture
Wash with Soapy Water (If Needed):
If there’s stubborn dirt, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water. Dip your soft cloth or sponge into the soapy water and gently wipe the solar panel and the light fixture.
Rinse Thoroughly:
Use a hose or spray bottle to rinse away all the soapy water. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to prevent soap residue from drying on the panel, which can reduce its efficiency.
Dry Completely:
Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the solar panel and the light fixture completely dry. This prevents water spots and mineral deposits from forming.
conclusion
In summary, we’ve discussed how to clean solar lights and cost considerations for solar street lights, along with the simpler cleaning process for home solar lights. We hope this guide clarifies the maintenance needs for these lighting solutions. Choosing appropriate products, like the self-cleaning models we’ve featured, can significantly reduce long-term costs.
As a ten-year veteran in lighting manufacturing, we encourage you to reach out with any questions or challenges you face with your lighting. We’re committed to working together to improve the use and efficiency of solar lighting. Contact us today to learn more or discuss your specific needs.
