Can You Walk On Solar Panels?

When maintaining a home solar system, you might be tempted to walk on the panels for a quick fix or clean.

But can you walk on solar panels without causing damage?

The short answer is yes, technically, you can—but should you?

Of course, not.

Walking on solar panels, while possible, is fraught with risks that could end up compromising the integrity of your valuable energy investment.

In this article, I’ll explain why it’s a bad idea to walk on your solar panels, detailing the potential risks and what exactly could go wrong.

Plus, I’ll share some smarter, safer methods for keeping your panels well-maintained and functioning optimally, without ever having to set foot on them.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

You can walk on solar panels, but it is unrecommended as it can lead to significant damage and safety risks, including the potential for electrocution.
Your solar panels are designed to support 50 to 75 pounds per square foot, which helps them withstand environmental loads like snow or debris.
Exceeding the load capacity can result in cracked solar cells and damaged busbars, significantly reducing the panels’ efficiency and power output.
To clean your solar panels, use a soft pad on an extended pole, a lint-free cloth, and a low-pressure hose, avoiding the need to walk on them.
If your panels are damaged, consult professionals to determine whether they need to be repaired or replaced to ensure optimal functioning.

What Is the Load Capacity of Solar Panels?

The load capacity of solar panels is ranging from 50 to 75 pounds per square foot.

This strength comes in handy when dealing with the extra weight from snow piles or debris that might land on them.

Plus, they’re equipped with special glass that helps shield them from various environmental hazards like dust storms, hail, and even gusty hurricane winds.

Let’s break down what this means with a typical solar panel, say about 65 x 39 inches.

To figure out how much weight this can handle, we start by calculating the area.

You just multiply the length by the width:

Area = 65 in × 39 in = 2535 sq in

However, since load capacities are usually discussed in square feet, we need to convert this area from square inches to square feet.

There are 144 square inches in a square foot, so here’s how you do that:

Area in sq ft = 2535 sq in / (144 sq in/sq ft) = 17.6 sq ft

Next, to find out the total weight it can hold, multiply the area in square feet by the maximum load per square foot.

So, it looks like this:

Total Load Capacity = 75 lbs/sq ft × 17.6 sq ft = 1,320 lbs

This tells us that, theoretically, our panel can handle up to 1,320 pounds, as long as the weight is spread out evenly.

What Are Potential Damages from Walking on Solar Panels?

1. Risk of Electrocution

Electrocution is a serious risk that happens when you get zapped by electric energy, and it can be dangerous.

If you accidentally touch a live wire—suddenly, an electric current races through your body.

However, the pain and danger levels depend on the current type—AC or DC, how it moves through your body, how strong it is, and how long you’re in contact with it.

Sometimes it might just give you a small shock that startles you, but other times it could be severe enough to cause major injuries or even be fatal.

Now, let’s talk solar panels.

Just walking on a PV (photovoltaic) module generally isn’t going to electrocute you on its own.

But if there’s faulty wiring around the solar panel setup or behind the modules, that’s when the danger level ramps up.

This is especially true during the day when the panels are active and soaking up sunlight.

Areas with bad wiring are often called the “DC Danger Zone” because they’re filled with high levels of DC electricity.

DC is extra tricky because it keeps a constant flow of power, unlike AC, which goes on and off.

This means if you touch something you shouldn’t, the DC keeps going, potentially causing more intense and painful shocks.

The risk is even higher if the solar panels are damaged.

Say there are cracks in the glass or holes in the casing—these can let you accidentally see or touch wires you shouldn’t be able to.

These kinds of damages can unintentionally create new electrical paths that increase the risk of getting shocked.

Wet conditions make it even riskier.

When it’s raining or very humid, water can make electricity travel more easily, upping your chances of an electric shock.

Plus, if lightning strikes, it can send a massive surge of electricity through the system, way more than it’s built to handle.

2. Potential for Smudging the Surface

When you step on a solar panel, you’re not just risking bending the frame or messing up its structure; you could also leave behind smudges or scratches on the glass.

These marks might seem like no big deal at first, but they can mess with how well your panel works.

Smudges dull the glass, making it harder for the panel to soak up all the sunlight it needs.

And scratches?

They’re even worse because they permanently scar the glass.

Scratches do more than just look ugly.

They block light from hitting the solar cells properly, which means your panel won’t be as effective.

They also create tiny shadows across the surface of the panel, dragging down its efficiency even more.

If the scratches are deep enough, you’ll see a drop in how much power your panel is producing.

3. Possibility of Cracking a Solar Cell

Just like when you’re getting ready to fly and the airline asks you to tuck your carry-on safely away, handling solar panels needs a similar kind of care.

Think of it this way: putting too much weight on a solar panel is like overpacking that overhead bin—something’s bound to go wrong.

Inside those panels are delicate solar cells that do all the heavy lifting, turning sunlight into electricity.

If you walk on them or drop something heavy, you might not just scuff them up; you could crack them or worse, break them completely.

Now, when a solar cell gets damaged, it messes up the panel’s efficiency.

Most of the time when a cell is damaged, you’ll notice the panel isn’t pumping out as much power as before.

This drop means less electricity for your home or business, potentially dimming your lights or slowing down your appliances.

And if your system doesn’t have gadgets like optimizers or microinverters that manage each panel’s output individually, one damaged panel could drag down your entire system’s performance.

4. Danger of Damaging the Busbars Connecting Solar Cells

Busbars are like the main roads inside your solar panels that help electricity travel smoothly from one cell to another and between panels.

They’re key to keeping your system cool and efficient, ensuring power flows evenly and your setup doesn’t get too hot or drop in performance.

Now, here’s where you need to be careful—if you accidentally step on a solar panel or put too much weight on it, you might damage these busbars.

It might not seem like a big deal at first, but it is.

Damaged busbars disrupt the normal flow of electricity, which can lead to part of your panel overheating.

Why does this happen?

Well, the electricity gets blocked and starts building up at the damage point, which increases resistance and heat.

If you damage more than one busbar, things can get even more complicated.

You might completely cut off the electricity flow, causing an open circuit.

This is a real problem if you have an off-grid system because it could leave you without power for days.

What to Do If Your Solar Panels Break?

If your solar panels break, you need to jump into action quickly to stop any further damage and get things back to normal.

First off, touch base with your home insurance provider.

A lot of policies cover solar panels because they’re considered part of your home’s permanent setup.

You’re usually covered for damage from things like windstorms or fires.

But, you need to know what your policy covers.

If it turns out the damage was caused by something they consider misuse—like if you were walking on the panels—they might not cover it.

If going through insurance doesn’t work out, or if you just want to handle it yourself, the next step is to call in some pros.

Reach out to a professional solar repair service.

They’ll take a look and figure out whether your broken panel can be fixed or if it needs to be swapped out for a new one.

They know what they’re doing and will guide you on the best way forward, whether that’s repairing the panel or replacing it altogether.

Sometimes, if the damage is pretty bad, replacing it is the only way to make sure your system is running smoothly again.

Do I Need to Walk on the Solar Panels to Clean Them?

You don’t need to walk on your solar panels to clean them, and actually, it’s a lot safer if you don’t.

Instead, there are tools made just for this job that let you do all the cleaning from the ground.

Here’s how you can clean your panels safely: First off, gather up the right tools.

You’ll need a lint-free cloth, a soft pad that attaches to an extended pole, some non-abrasive cleaner, and a low-pressure hose.

These tools are key because they help you clean the panels thoroughly without having to get on top of them.

Pick a good time to clean, like early in the morning or later in the evening when the panels have cooled down.

This is important because if the panels are too hot, sudden temperature changes from cleaning could damage them.

Start by gently rinsing off any loose dirt with your hose.

Next, slap some of that non-abrasive cleaner on and get scrubbing with the soft pad on your extended pole.

This way, you’re keeping your feet on the ground and the panels safe from any weight.

Plus, don’t forget the edges of the panels!

They can be pretty delicate, so take your lint-free cloth and carefully wipe them down.

After you’ve scrubbed everywhere, give the panels another rinse with the hose to wash away any remaining dirt or cleaner.

While you’re at it, remember to keep an eye out for any cracks or damage.

If something looks off, I prefer you to call in a pro to take a closer look and possibly do some repairs.

FAQs

Can I Step on a Solar Panel?

You can step on a solar panel, but it’s strongly discouraged because it can damage the panel and is unsafe for you.

Can You Stand on Solar Panels to Clean Them?

You can’t stand on solar panels to clean them; it’s unsafe and can cause damage. Instead, use tools with extended handles.

Can I Walk on Flexible Solar Panels?

You can walk on flexible solar panels, but it’s still not recommended due to potential damage and reduced functionality.

Is It Safe to Work Around Solar Panels?

It is safe to work around solar panels as long as you follow safety guidelines and avoid direct contact with the panels.

Conclusion

As promised, we’ve talked about why it’s not a great idea to walk on your solar panels.

It might seem like a quick fix, but it’s not worth the risk.

Here’s a cool tip that’s right on target: think about getting a robotic solar panel cleaner.

Washpanel, for example, offers a range of robotic cleaners designed for different setups.

Whether you need a portable semi-automatic robot for a small home system or a fully automatic system for larger installations, they’ve got you covered.