Tweet
What do you use to clean your solar panels?
-
-
warm water and dish soap
-
I did the washing thing last year, saw very little to no gain.
Now if you are down wing of a construction site or other dirt area, then it may make a difference.Ken
Telford,Pa
Homepage: [url]http://home.comcast.net/~n3qik[/url]
[B]Updated 6-7-2009[/B]Comment
-
alcohol cleaning
we manufacturer use anti static clothes and alcohol to clean solar panelSolar PV panel and system. Ningbo Zontai Photoelectric Technology Co., Ltd.Comment
-
I ask as I am looking for way to clean mine. I checked Google and found a "no touch" system. I need no touch since 1/2 of my panels are out of my reach. Hi roof, ladder not quite tall enough, me not too jazzed about walking on the rather steep roof. Great angle for the panels, no a great angle for me walking on them. Power washing is out since they work at a right angle to the surface in question. No good for the top roof. I would like something to spray on that will losen the dirt, poop, pollen (we seem to have lots of it this year)...then let me wash it off. The stuff I bought seems ok...but I would like to find something cheaper than $20 for approx 5kW. It was suggested that I try SimpleGreen, but I think it is intended to be applied w/ a power washer..so that is out (but I *will* try the spray on applicator method to see if that is sufficient).
I wrote a letter to Sharp (solar panel guys) to see what they thought of the idea of putting RainX on cleaned panels. Their prompt response was:
"Sharp’s engineering group doesn’t recommend RainX due to the wax and alcohol content which harms the gasket seal between the module’s glass and the frame.
Water is the recommended cleaning agent."
For me, water won't do it since it won't losen stuff up enough...but that is only a guess.
sherryzontai, how to your gaskets do w/ the alcohol. Is that purely a SHARP panel issue?
Comments?Comment
-
Hi Tripod,
Black & Decker has power scrubbers with 10ft, 14ft extensions. maybe longer, I don't know. maybe one of those, your ladder, and good balance could accomplish the job? using soap and water would be fine. Most solar panels are nothing but standard tempered glass.
maybe you could get innovative and make something with pipe or something similar and attach a mop head at the top?
this makes me think of a good idea. have some piping that is attached to the top of the panels and that's hooked into the water system. maybe have a spot to add some type of soap or cleaning agent...then just turn it on and the water rinses down over the panels.Comment
-
My wife said I should come up w/ something, ala Bill Nye (while on Living with Ed). to be able to physically effect the panels. Squeegee or soft car brush on a telescoping pole.
As for the Piping thing, they sell a system with water heads at the top of each panel column hooked up to a timer that will spray water over your panels on a periodic basis. Probably way too expensive for the home owner, but a good idea for some company with hundreds of them.
Hmmm...I have a scumbuster with the extension handle. Maybe I could replace THAT with a telescoping pole. Then all I would need is a soft cleaning pad (no problem), but BIG, since the standard pads are about the size of a CD. Hmm...just use water...or some quick n brite...something non-toxic....and I am in business!!!! Gotta keep it cheap since I would only use it...no more than twice a year.Last edited by Tripod137; 06-03-2009, 07:17 PM.Comment
-
yeah i actually noticed these: (http://www.ocsenergy.com/solar_wash/) after I replied to you. But as you said, not economical for a residential owner.
good idea with the scumbuster, i say go for it
oh and if you have photos of your system...you should post em! Theres a solar picture post in the General Discussion sub-forum
Comment
-
I just use car wash in a bucket, a window-cleaning bonnet over a squeegie - all on the end of a telescoping pole. I get on the first story roof and do those easily, then reach to the second story with the long pole. Takes about 15 minutes total for the 2.5 k system. And that includes getting the ladder out. It makes a difference for me - I live in a farming area, and have lots of bird poop as well as dust. I at least do it once before summer rates kick in so I get the most out of the system. Even better would be misting the panels during the super hot days. But then I worry about permanent water spots.
Comment
-
I was told to wash the panels in the morning or at night to avoid possibly cracking the glass as the panels, apparently, get rather hot in the middle of the day and the cold water could cause damage. Not sure how that all works w/ a hot day that turns rainy...but that's what I hear.
I was told, by my solar guy, that the biggest power producing days are March - May, so next year I will try to get out there if March is warm enough.Comment
-
i don't think putting water on the panels when its hot would crack the glass because it's tempered.
if anything, it will improve the output of your solar panels because when it's really hot, the heat decreases the efficiency of the panels so cooling it down with water would only help in my opinion.Comment
-
it's not worth the energy of pumping out the water in attempt to cool down your solar panels on a hot day. You won't really notice a difference in output.Comment
-
First I wash the solar panels with hot soapy water. Then I call this company and they supply me with a product that increases the power the solar cells. It has somethiing to do with UV light. Over the past 5 years I have 36 solar panels (200 watts each) and I have used this produce on 35 of the solar panels. One I have not treated with this product. The one I have not treated at peak; it produces 180 watts and the ones that I have treated produce 205 watts at peak. My friend that makes this product is looking for investors so that he may mass produce this product.
Any takers?Comment
Comment