cleaning panels

[bcroe]

I would again remind that string systems may operate at a very lethal
400VDC, not good to mix with water. My snow pusher is from a multi
section plastic flag pole.

Here tree sap did manage to degrade 3 panels of a 12 panel string,
limiting its output. The only way I found to fix it (descibed in another
thread) was to remove each panel and scrape it off with a razor blade.
Swap done under night lights, I had spare panels. This completely
restored them, time will tell if the outer coating was damaged in the
process. Bruce Roe

[Jonny_Drone]

You need a lot of water to spray a decent array, this would mean quite a powerful drone, or a lot of back and forth.

I am sure it would be fun, but probably not very practical, unless your roof is completely out of reach of a hose.

I just found this article about window cleaning with a drone. They are talking about spot free window cleaning(im assuming isnt much different from solar panel glass). They are using reverse osmosis and deionization, which sounds a lot more eco friendly than the chemicals in that "top 5" article. This is crazy. Drones look like they are going to be everywhere pretty soon.

[scrambler]

You need a lot of water to spray a decent array, this would mean quite a powerful drone, or a lot of back and forth.

I am sure it would be fun, but probably not very practical, unless your roof is completely out of reach of a hose.

[Jonny_Drone]

Yes you can use the outdoor window cleaning product. They usually come with a canister that plugs on you hose. You put the product in the canister and spray, it creates a foam. You let it act then rinse
5 Best Hose Spray Window Cleaners in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks | House Grail

Thank you!
In my research, Ive also found that drones are being used to clean solar panels. Ive been a drone enthusiast for a while but had no idea they are being used to clean solar panels and even buildings. Have you ever used a drone to clean solar panels with the types of foaming sprays from that link you sent?

[organic farmer]

I have found that hail cleans our panels pretty well.

[scrambler]

Has anyone found a cleaning solution that can be sprayed on and cleaned off without needing to scrub the solar panels? A few of my panels are very hard to reach and it would great if there was l foaming chemical solution or something eco friendly that can be sprayed on, let it sit, and then sprayed off. I have what looks like tree sap or something sticky on a few of my panels.

Yes you can use the outdoor window cleaning product. They usually come with a canister that plugs on you hose. You put the product in the canister and spray, it creates a foam. You let it act then rinse
5 Best Hose Spray Window Cleaners in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks | House Grail

[Jonny_Drone]

Has anyone found a cleaning solution that can be sprayed on and cleaned off without needing to scrub the solar panels? A few of my panels are very hard to reach and it would great if there was l foaming chemical solution or something eco friendly that can be sprayed on, let it sit, and then sprayed off. I have what looks like tree sap or something sticky on a few of my panels.

[solarintexas]

Here in North Texas we have a lot of dust in the air, plus everything else like pollen. It tends to cling to my panels and doesn't readily wash off even during heavy rain. I bought one of those telescope sticks plus window cleaning attachment. I usually wait until we have mild to moderate rain. I don't like to waste drinking water for this. Also, our tap water has a high mineral content and could leave spots on the panels. I use a little bit of dish soap and then clean the panels from the ground. The rain washes it clean rather quickly. This is easy at my one-story ranch. Output improves about 5-8%, depending on thickness of dust layer. Certainly noticeable.

[SunEagle]

I guess another reason to let the rain do the work is if the array is high up on the roof and hard to reach

[Balerenes]

However, unless you live somewhere with high amounts of smog, dust, dirt or sand blowing around, solar panel cleaning is generally not necessary. In most cases, occasional rain will be enough to naturally and safely keep your solar panels clean and free of debris that could lower production. Otherwise, you can go to https://www.totalclean.co.uk/ which takes care of the total cleaning of the office and obviously the panel cleaning. I always turn to them when dirt accumulates on the panels and in the office and my people can not help me =)))

[scrambler]

I would definitely just start by hosing them (early morning as mentioned) and see how much that cleans up.

After they dry up, if you can still see a heavy haze on them, I found that using a wide brush with long very soft bristle mounted on a pole, and alternating with spraying water does the job.
I only had to do that once so far, after the fire season last year when there was a significant layer of soot and dust on the panels.

I never had to use soap, but may be because I never left things go too bad

[Mike90250]

Fill your bucket with clean water and add a small amount of soap. Rinse solar panels with clean water to clear away loose dirt. Use soft scrubber and soapy water from the bucket—or mixing sprayer—to gently wash the surface of the panels. Rinse solar panels with clean water from the hose a second time.

As long as the brand of soap is approved by the panel Mfg. you don't want to ruin the edge seal on the panels with unapproved soap, and a hose end sprayer is ok, but not a pressure washer

[Balerenes]

Fill your bucket with clean water and add a small amount of soap. Rinse solar panels with clean water to clear away loose dirt. Use soft scrubber and soapy water from the bucket—or mixing sprayer—to gently wash the surface of the panels. Rinse solar panels with clean water from the hose a second time.

[JerilynButler]

Yes. the performance will fluctuate as per the climate and it would not be as perfect as before.

[ButchDeal]

I always arrange for shade ( clouds ) to cool the modules, before washing my pv ( rain ).