When 13-Year Cicadas Meet Solar Panels: Virginia’s 2024 Challenge for Homeowners

Virginia homeowners faced an unprecedented challenge in 2024 as Brood XIX cicadas emerged across parts of the state after 13 years underground. While these fascinating insects created quite a spectacle, they also presented unique maintenance challenges for solar panel owners throughout Central Virginia, particularly in areas like Rockingham County where solar installations have been growing rapidly.

Understanding Virginia’s 2024 Cicada Emergence

Parts of Virginia saw the emergence of Brood XIX cicadas in late April 2024, with the insects appearing primarily south of Caroline County and east of the Interstate 95 corridor. This 13-year brood was visible in extreme southern Maryland and southeastern Virginia, alongside annual cicadas that emerge every year. The emergence was particularly notable because it coincided with the emergence of a 17-year brood in the Midwest, marking the first time since Thomas Jefferson’s presidency in 1803 that two different cicada broods emerged simultaneously.

The mating calls of these cicadas can reach decibels of 100 or greater, comparable to a subway train or motorcycle, and literally trillions of insects emerged across their range. After a few weeks of mating and laying eggs, the adults died, leaving their bodies to provide nutrients to ecosystems and creating a forest floor covered in millions of cicada carcasses.

The Hidden Impact on Solar Panel Performance

While cicadas themselves don’t directly damage solar panels, their presence creates a unique cleaning challenge that many Virginia homeowners discovered in 2024. During hot months, cicadas drink tree sap and pass it through their bodies, creating what’s known as “cicada rain” – a sticky substance that, when combined with pollen and dust, forms tough residue on solar panels that can be stubborn to remove.

This combination of sticky cicada excrement with pollen creates a very nasty film that builds up on solar panels and requires significant effort to remove. The impact on solar performance can be substantial – studies have shown that during peak pollen season, energy output can drop by up to 15% due to this type of buildup blocking sunlight.

The key to managing this issue is regular cleaning and not letting the residue build up and set, as it becomes increasingly difficult to remove once hardened. Regular cleaning can restore efficiency lost due to accumulated grime, potentially boosting energy production by up to 25%, depending on the level of dirt buildup.

Professional Cleaning Solutions in Central Virginia

For Virginia homeowners dealing with cicada-related solar panel contamination, professional cleaning services became essential during the 2024 emergence. Blue Ridge Exterior Cleaning, LLC has been providing high-quality soft washing and pressure washing services to residential and commercial customers throughout the Waynesboro area for over 14 years, establishing themselves as the premier name in Central Virginia for exterior cleaning services since opening in 2010.

The company serves multiple counties including Augusta, Rockingham, Greene, Madison, Albemarle, Nelson, Amherst, Rockbridge, Fluvanna, and Louisa. Blue Ridge Exterior Cleaning specializes in solar panel cleaning services, providing experienced and trusted professionals throughout Central Virginia. Their expertise became particularly valuable during the 2024 cicada season when homeowners needed specialized knowledge to safely remove the stubborn organic residue without damaging their solar investments.

For homeowners seeking professional Solar Panel Cleaning Rockingham County, VA, the company’s comprehensive approach ensures that panels are cleaned safely and effectively, maintaining optimal energy production throughout challenging environmental conditions like cicada emergences.

Best Practices for Cicada Season Solar Panel Maintenance

The best time to clean solar panels is either early morning or late evening when panels are cool, taking advantage of any dew or moisture that might help soften grime, while avoiding midday cleaning when heat can cause water to evaporate quickly and leave residue behind.

During cicada season, specific techniques prove most effective:

• Use mild detergent mixed with water and gently scrub panel surfaces using a long-handled soft-bristle brush while standing on the ground, then rinse with a gentle hose flow
• For natural cleaning boost, mix a few cups of vinegar into a bucket of water, as the mild acidity helps dissolve stuck-on dirt and organic matter, with a 5-10% vinegar-to-water ratio being generally safe for solar panels
• Dawn dish soap is gentle, effective, and biodegradable, but thorough rinsing is essential to avoid residue affecting performance

Timing Your Cleaning Schedule Around Natural Cycles

Most experts recommend cleaning solar panels every six months to a year under normal conditions, with many homeowners finding this task aligns well with spring cleaning efforts when preparing for sunnier seasons. However, during cicada emergence years, more frequent attention may be necessary.

In most cases, solar panels need cleaning only once or twice per year, with spring being the optimal time to schedule annual cleaning routines. The 2024 cicada emergence highlighted the importance of flexibility in maintenance schedules, as areas prone to high organic matter accumulation may require more proactive cleaning approaches for optimal solar panel performance.

Looking Ahead: Preparing for Future Emergences

While the 2024 Brood XIX eggs will hatch into tiny cicada nymphs that will burrow into the soil and spend the next 13 years feeding on plant root nutrients, Virginia homeowners now have valuable experience managing solar panel maintenance during these natural phenomena. This specific pairing of cicada broods won’t happen again until 2245, but other broods will continue to emerge on their regular cycles.

The 2024 cicada season served as an important reminder that solar panel maintenance requires adaptation to local environmental conditions. Companies like Blue Ridge Exterior Cleaning, armed with commercial-grade equipment and years of industry experience, combined with dedication to customer satisfaction, provide homeowners peace of mind when facing unique maintenance challenges.

For Virginia solar panel owners, understanding the relationship between natural cycles and system performance ensures maximum return on their renewable energy investment, regardless of what nature brings to their doorstep.