Panel cleaning

Essex parky · Feb 21, 2013

hi all, ive been doing a little research on pv systems, as my parents are thinking about having a set up on their home. im only in the starting stages of looking at this so please bear with me.
i relaise there is an optimum angle for the panels to sit to catch the sun but avoid dust issues, but when it comes to cleaning (birds mess etc) is there anything to avoid or would hosing it off with a window cleaners pole be ok?
thanks

Vegelen · Feb 21, 2013

Buy solar panels with an anti-reflective, hydrophobic layer (water repellant) which improves light absorbption and reduces surface dust.
Solar panels mounted at 5 Degrees, tend to need cleaning two or three times per year.
Solar Panels mounted at > 30 Degrees, with hydrophobic layers probably need cleaning once or twice per year.
Put 10ml of Fairy liquid in a spray bottle with a little lemon juice, white vinegar and water to make an effective low acidity cleaning solution.
This solution is excellent at cleaning solar panels and glass windows.
Make sure you wash off any residue after cleaning.
I use a squeegy on a wooden pole, to remove excess water from the panels.
Make sure you follow "Elf and Safety" when cleaning at height.
:15:

Worcester · Feb 22, 2013

Use de-ionised water as all good windows cleaners do, else you'll leave a residue when you wash them, that's why you don't get smears on commercially cleaned windows.

DO NOT use washing up liquid or vinegar etc. (lemon juice, vinegar are mild acids)

We offer a panel cleaning service to all our commercial installs.

jason121 · Feb 22, 2013

Whats the going rate for cleaning commercial installations

Worcester · Feb 22, 2013

On an open forum

?? !!

Think about it, roof access / fall protection, either you'll need a cherry picker and an IPAF licence as well as rope access training plus fall restraint procedures, plus investing about £5k in the proper equipment just to clean the panels - The answer is it isn't cheap. however the performance benefits pay for it.

Vegelen · Feb 22, 2013

Cleaning agents with low concentrations of fairy liquid, lemon juice and white vinegar are very effective mildly acidic cleaning solutions.
Concentrations of a properly mixed solution are too low to do any harm to the panels / metallic frames.
Properly rinse with rainwater to prevent smearing / remove any residue.
Individuals that lack common sense or any chemical experience should refrain from using the above and follow Worcesters advice.

drew35 · Feb 22, 2013

Whats wrong with waiting for the weather to rain hard??? It works on my van...

jason121 · Feb 22, 2013

Worcester said:
On an open forum ?? !!

Think about it, roof access / fall protection, either you'll need a cherry picker and an IPAF licence as well as rope access training plus fall restraint procedures, plus investing about £5k in the proper equipment just to clean the panels - The answer is it isn't cheap. however the performance benefits pay for it.

Reason I asked is that I have two 12m cherry pickers

Worcester · Feb 22, 2013

Looking to sell one?

We hire them in regularly at the moment - PM me ...

Danlow84 · Feb 22, 2013

self cleaning glass for the panels mean that anything like bird mess simply washes off when rains

Ian-LS · Feb 22, 2013

Danlow84 said:
self cleaning glass for the panels mean that anything like bird mess simply washes off when rains

Not if the slope angle is like 5 degrees it won't

Worcester · Feb 22, 2013

Just like this seen in Leicester on Wednesday then

Earthstore · Feb 22, 2013

Oh come on, it hasn't rained recently....

I would buy an air rifle if it were mine though, second thoughts a hacksaw would be a better investment.

Worcester · Feb 22, 2013

See the new post ... one street in Leicester

Panel cleaning

Essex parky

Vegelen

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Worcester

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jason121

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Worcester

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Vegelen

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drew35

jason121

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Worcester

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Danlow84

Ian-LS

Worcester

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Earthstore

Worcester

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