Solar panel cleaning

[guymurphy]

Hi, I'm an engineering student at the University of Bristol and I've just started a project about cleaning solar panel arrays. There seems to be very limited information online about methods used and it seems they're mostly done by hand with window cleaning products. However, I don't see how that would be economically viable or practical when dealing with some of the largest arrays in the world such as the Topaz solar farm. Also as they are often in deserts, I assume they don't use water to clean them. Does anyone have any information how these very large arrays are cleaned? Any information would be really helpful and greatly appreciated.

[Mike90250]

I think they are washed with de-ionized water. Maybe a leaf blower is used to get the loose stuff off, but to keep from scratching the glass with grit, I think water must be used.

[guymurphy]

Thanks for the reply! Do you know if it's ever done by an automated system? If so, is there any information on how they work? I imagine labour costs would be pretty high on some of the largest arrays if cleaned by hand.

[SunEagle]

Thanks for the reply! Do you know if it's ever done by an automated system? If so, is there any information on how they work? I imagine labour costs would be pretty high on some of the largest arrays if cleaned by hand.

I saw an article about a professional panel cleaner using the equipment in the attached photo. I believe this solar farm is located somewhere in the Mid-East but there are probably other companies that can do the job at a Utility sized solar array.

Solar Panel Cleaning.jpg

[guymurphy]

It looks great! do you by any chance have the link to the article?

[SunEagle]

It looks great! do you by any chance have the link to the article?

Unfortunately I do not have that link anymore. It was from a Solar Website last year. I thought the picture was interesting showing how someone was cleaning a large Utility solar array in the desert.

[SteveSolar]

Mod note - links and advertising not allowed

[SoCalsolar]

Google has a post about it on their Blog

Google has a post about it on their Blog and there was a residential cleaning system that amounts to sprinklers on your roof.

[gunrackguy]

I clean my panels when it snows. I use a soft 2' push broom at the end of a painters extension pole. My advice for those who live in the north do a ground mount with the front of the array about 3' off of the ground so you have some place to put the snow (My array is set at 45 degrees). I have never cleaned my panel, but wonder if I could make a mixture of rain-x and water and sprayed it on the panels. I have also thought of spraying silicon but wonder if it would attack the sealant on the panels. Anyone have any ideas?

[russ]

I have never cleaned my panel, but wonder if I could make a mixture of rain-x and water and sprayed it on the panels.

I once asked Rain-x about that - they said they hade never tested their product on solar panels so had no idea if it would harm the sealing.