Advice on cleaning PV panels

[Librehombre]

I am confused. I have a new, 16 panel PV system that was installed last December and went into production January 4. Looking at the panels from the ground I could see a dust layer had accumulated by the early weeks of February. So I hosed the system down (from the ground because I did not yet have a ladder) I believed I was following the generally advised procedure of just using a jet of water.

The scheme of hosing off the panels was not very effective and I can observe streaks even standing on the ground. I anticipate dust is going to be a problem so I need a plan. Accordingly, I started searching the web for advice, and there is quite a range. Unfortunately, much of the advice is conflicting (use soap, don't use soap, use lint free rags, -- no, use a soft bristle brush). Our tap water is very hard in the Phoenix region and some articles warn against calcium buildup. They advise using deionized water.

Is there a consensus on this topic? I am looking for a low cost solution, meaning both time and materials. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

[Sunking]

Hose, tap water, and a squeegee. Phoenix is very dusty and the panels will need to be cleaned regularly.

[axis11]

Glass/tile wipers

This is an effective and cheap way to clean and get rid of streaks in glass caused by hard water. Improvise a lightweight handle such as aluminum and attach the wiper . Just hose spray and wipe.

[Librehombre]

Thanks for comments

I found this specially made solar panel cleaning equipment:http://www.parish-supply.com/solar-panel.htm and wonder if anyone has experience with it or what others think. I like the possibility of working from the ground and not having to climb a ladder because I am 72 and worry about losing my balance on flat dry land let alone on a ladder or slanted roof. Have not priced out the cost as yet. I checked the Home Depot catalog for specialty equipment for cleaning solar panels, but found nothing. Lots of cleaning supplies for windows.

[russ]

I found this specially made solar panel cleaning equipment:http://www.parish-supply.com/solar-panel.htm and wonder if anyone has experience with it or what others think. I like the possibility of working from the ground and not having to climb a ladder because I am 72 and worry about losing my balance on flat dry land let alone on a ladder or slanted roof. Have not priced out the cost as yet. I checked the Home Depot catalog for specialty equipment for cleaning solar panels, but found nothing. Lots of cleaning supplies for windows.

Looks like a car washing brush with a longer handle and a very much higher price. You want a soft brush and you can probably jury rig a handle for it.

[Mike90250]

Look at the Mr Clean Car Wash kit, and it's DI water filter cartridge. Forget the soap. Wash with plain tap water in the AM, before the sun hits them (cold water & hot panels = damage) and then rinse with the DI (spot free) feature. You can get the rinse DI refills @ amazon or ebay.

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-AutoDry-System-Starter/dp/B0006M56CE

mr-clean-auto.jpg

[Librehombre]

Cleaning PV panels

I like the Mr Clean approach and agree with you not to use soap. For one thing soap and sloping roofs don't make a good combination. None the less it may came in handy in the case of pigeons in our area that occasionally have serious diarrhea issues. Will have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

While I was cogitating about the water spot problem I recalled a product I used to use in California on my car windshield. Cannot recall the name right now, but you may know what I mean. It makes water sheet up and quickly run off. Apparently there is more than one product like this -- I recently found Aquapel quite by accident:

quote
See Clearly and Drive Safer, Longer with Aquapel Windshield and Glass Treatment.
Aquapel Windshield and Glass Treatment uses technology originally innovated for the aviation industry. When applied to your vehicle's windshield, Aquapel dramatically improves vision when driving in the rain, day or night. Aquapel forms a chemical bond with glass - unlike other products that simply coat glass - to increase water repellency, causing it to bead and easily roll right off the glass. Aquapel is easy to apply and can last up to 6 times longer than other products. Each box contains one applicator and one treatment good for months of improved vision!

/quote

If it works well using Mr Clean and Aquapel together may solve all my problems. I would experiment first on one panel and see what happens.

[Naptown]

I would do some serious research on the aquapel product to see how well it plays with the sealants and encapsulants in the PV panels before I would think of applying something like that. You could damage or destroy the seals on the panels rendering them dead prematurely.

[solarpowered]

Hose, tap water, and a squeegee. Phoenix is very dusty and the panels will need to be cleaned regularly.

Its not recommended to squeegee if panels have AR coating on them, only water.
Not recommended to use any pressure higher than 60PSI, which is standard water pressure.

If by chance the panels don't come with AR coating I apply a water proofing agent such as automotive rainex, it takes both water and dust off when washing with just a hose.

Look at the Mr Clean Car Wash kit, and it's DI water filter cartridge. Forget the soap. Wash with plain tap water in the AM, before the sun hits them (cold water & hot panels = damage) and then rinse with the DI (spot free) feature. You can get the rinse DI refills @ amazon or ebay.

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-AutoDry-System-Starter/dp/B0006M56CE

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1792[/ATTACH]

The mister clean approach works, but then again you have to make sure the chemicals and degreasers don't effect AR coating.

[Librehombre]

I discovered that P&G have discontinued the Mr Clean Auto-dry product. It is still widely available on ebay, but I am surprised at the cost of consumables. The filters are expensive and supposedly have to be (should be) replaced after ten car washes. Your mileage may vary.

Do any users have experience they can share? If the product is discontinued does this mean the consumables are also going away?

[Mike90250]

Well, the MR Clean was a great system. But the Zeolite resin bed used to create the DI water for the spot free rinse, is expensive. Car dealerships have the roll-around cart with 2 DI tanks on them for their daily rinse of their stock. Maybe a local water softner company can supply you with a DI tank, and you just return it when exhausted and swap for a new one. Culligan home delivery service is expensive.

[PSCCHawaii]

Deionized water

without being redundant... you need to use something that has a spot free rinse, these panels get so hot in the sun. There is a system that we use that produces 99.99% pure water. You can spray this water on a solar panel on the hottest day of the year and it will dry without any water spots. It has been the biggest secret to our success as a solar panel cleaning company. If

I hope this helps and best of luck

[DanKegel]

I've cleaned mine a few times, and the main thing I needed was a way to reach 'em all.

I got a long window washer's pole / squeegee / pad from the local janitorial supply store
(I live near several - it's like service industry central here and expect it'll be a lot
easier now.

I don't worry about getting them too clean anymore, just getting the worst crud off every year seems like the right balance for me.

I tried measuring best kwh/day generated during the week before vs. the week after cleaning to get a rough idea how much it helped last time, and it wasn't huge, worth doing myself but not worth paying anyone else to do.

[russ]

without being redundant... you need to use something that has a spot free rinse, these panels get so hot in the sun. There is a system that we use that produces 99.99% pure water. You can spray this water on a solar panel on the hottest day of the year and it will dry without any water spots. It has been the biggest secret to our success as a solar panel cleaning company. If you would like to see the system we use, it is listed here: Www.bs.com

I hope this helps and best of luck cleaning your system.

- John at Professional Solar Cleaning and Care

Redundant or noyt you are being wrong - do not speay cold water on hot glass

[J.P.M.]

without being redundant... you need to use something that has a spot free rinse, these panels get so hot in the sun. There is a system that we use that produces 99.99% pure water. You can spray this water on a solar panel on the hottest day of the year and it will dry without any water spots. It has been the biggest secret to our success as a solar panel cleaning company. If

I hope this helps and best of luck

Best of luck my ass. Only a moron would spray water on a panel when the sun is shining.