Solar Panel Cleaning - Please advise

[JeffKeryk]

As we all know, CA has had horrible fires resulting in tons of soot deposited all over Northern CA.
Heck, we are all breathing this crap!
I noticed my solar panels were covered in grey soot so I hosed 'em down.
In most cases, rainfall does an adequate job, or so I have read. We ain't go no rain.

The hose did a pretty good job; I will probably do it again tomorrow morning.
Perhaps a little car detergent and a light brushing?

I appreiate your thoughts.

 

[SatinSilver]

Soapy water and a non abrasive sponge since you don’t want to scratch the panels. Treat it like washing the car pretty much.

 

[Malo83]

Have you tried this?

Krud Kutter 32 oz. Window Wash and Outdoor Cleaner WW32H4 - The Home Depot

Krud Kutter 32 oz. Window Wash cleans windows without scrubbing, even through screens. Concentrated formula removes tough outdoor dirt and grime and dries sparkling clean without wiping. Ready to use hose end sprayer cleans without scrubbing: simply spray and rinse.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Cujet]

I wash my cars and trucks with a long pole and super soft automotive brush. Note: The really soft brushes are hard to find. Many common car brushes are too stiff to conform and simply ride over the surface.

The soft car wash brushes and car soap work wonderfully to wash solar panels. I also occasionally use Rain-X on my solar panels. But I'm in South Florida where it rains constantly and then mold builds up. I'm not at all sure the Rain-X helps prevent mold, but it does make the water bead up and run off.

Wash Mop Stick Kit

The NEW & IMPROVED car wash microfiber mop. Get a Microfiber Wash Mitt's safe car washing power with the convenience and reach of a Telescoping Stainless Pole.

www.griotsgarage.com

 

[The Critic]

I wash my cars and trucks with a long pole and super soft automotive brush. Note: The really soft brushes are hard to find. Many common car brushes are too stiff to conform and simply ride over the surface.

Boar's Hair?

Amazon.com: Wheel Woolies 9" Wheel & Fender Boars Hair Detail Brush: Automotive

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That particularly brush is ridiculously soft; I use it for wheels. But let me know where to find the long pole version since I am interested in using it for solar panels as well.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Hosing them down helped but not enough.
Time for plan B.

 

[PimTac]

Understanding System Performance | Tesla Support

Tesla solar panels are designed to produce clean energy for decades. Learn more about best practices to get the most out of your solar system.

www.tesla.com

 

[dlundblad]

Just curious. How much electricity do you get from these?

 

[Ws6]

Oof. Rain handles mine, but yeah, your situation is different.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Just curious. How much electricity do you get from these?

I think my average is 20+ kWH per day over the last month.
In the hot months I generate over 1,000 kWH per month and perhaps 400 kWH in cool months. Lotta sun in Los Gatos.

 

[spasm3]

Can a sealant be applied to keep dirt from adhearing , like klasse? Or even high quality wax like collonite 476?

 

[wrcsixeight]

I've found the lower the sun angle, due to time of year, the more losses there are with dirty panels, and the fallout from wildfire smoke accumulates faster and seems to reduce output to a higher degree.

I have one 'flexible' 100 watt Sunpower panel.

I've wiped it clean with a microfiber towell, and noted a few watts more from it, then sprayed on some Aerospace 303.

303's supposed UV blockers did not change output by 0.1 watts, and does make wiping dust or Bird poo off it much easier.

I have a long extendable handle with a window squeegee on it when I want my framed panels clean. I've Never applied any product to their glass. I would not want anything react with the sealant between the edges of the glass and the frame, so those get water only.

I once read something about wildfire ash fallout etching the glass of panels when they would get wet from overnight dew.
I do not know if true or to what degree, and what variables might apply if it is.

 

[edhackett]

I once read something about wildfire ash fallout etching the glass of panels when they would get wet from overnight dew.
I do not know if true or to what degree, and what variables might apply if it is.

Wood smoke contains oxides, carbonates, and hydroxides. The pH of the dew would be basic, which can etch soft glass. The hydroxides are particularly troublesome.

A wash with a dilute vinegar solution would be helpful in cleaning the panels.

Ed

 

[BeerCan]

I use cheap carwash soap and a carwash brush on a pole to clean mine.

 

[The Critic]

I need to revisit this. The window cleaning company quoted me $10/panel ($440 in my situation) to clean.

 

[PandaBear]

Wouldn't car soap leave residue if you don't rinse it well completely? If there isn't any bird poop or tree saps (shouldn't to begin with since it blocks the lights), a quick water rinse should be enough to get most of the dust off right?

 

[JC1]

I need to revisit this. The window cleaning company quoted me $10/panel ($440 in my situation) to clean.

We need to invent a solar panel cleaning drone...... Wonder if it would fly on Shark Tank.

 

[TheLawnRanger]

I started to say something smart alecky like Pine Sol when I read the title. Turned out to be an interesting thread involving problems i never thought of with solar panels.

 

[Ws6]

Been 2 years, newrly. My panels are fine as is production. Never cleaned.

 

[PandaBear]

We need to invent a solar panel cleaning drone...... Wonder if it would fly on Shark Tank.

I think the effort is better spent on no clean / non stick solar panel.