Cleaning solar panels

[mixedfarming686]

Looking at cleaning our 150kw system ourselves, they are on top of poultry sheds and are starting to get a bit dirty and hopefully going to start cleaning them more regular, is anyone using any extendable brushes that they have found good for cleaning panels?

 

[wellingtonfarmer]

Looking at cleaning our 150kw system ourselves, they are on top of poultry sheds and are starting to get a bit dirty and hopefully going to start cleaning them more regular, is anyone using any extendable brushes that they have found good for cleaning panels?

We used the hose pipe off the sprayer attached brush and away we went. Worked well.

 

[Exfarmer]

You need a window cleaners pole. The only issue is the hardness of the water which can leave deposits. Best to clean on a wet day and the rain will rinse them

 

[Farfrae]

I posted a similar thread (in respect of my domestic roof system) a while back asking if there was any cleaning solution that was safe to use and that would inhibit/clean lichen and mould growth etc.. Didn't get a definitive reply but I used an extending water pole (£9.99 from Aldi - but suspect you'll need something more substantial for a big array!) and car cleaning shampoo (non waxy!). It seemed to do a pretty good job.

I'd agree with the comment that it's best to clean on a wet day as you're not 'fighting it' drying too quick and you can concentrate on cleaning whilst the rain washes it off.

 

[steveR]

I'd agree with the comment that it's best to clean on a wet day as you're not 'fighting it' drying too quick and you can concentrate on cleaning whilst the rain washes it off.

+3

 

[Rod Dumbreck]

Do many people clean their panels regularly? ours are down on output a bit

 

[Sid]

Must be money in buying a cherry picker and doing the rounds cleaning panels?

 

[chickens and wheat]

Its a bit like cleaning a black car , as soon as you wet them they look spotless, as soon as they dry youve missed bits here here here and here.

I sprayed mine with moss killer a few hours before washing, poultry shed dust encourages moss around the frames of the panels

 

[manhill]

Snow?

 

[steveR]

Snow?

The recent 12" snow did a wonderful job of cleaning the 20ac commercial panels, the slow but gentle scouring as the snow slid down has left them spotless. My domestic panels (also ground mounted) are a lot steeper angle set to maximise winter solar gain, and they were not as well cleaned, and will need my attentions next spring.

 

[NANOTREAT.co.uk]

Looking at cleaning our 150kw system ourselves, they are on top of poultry sheds and are starting to get a bit dirty and hopefully going to start cleaning them more regular, is anyone using any extendable brushes that they have found good for cleaning panels?

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Has anyone had an issue with Lichens on their solar PV panels? Ours are being cleaned today and there is considerable Lichen left on them. I am advised to consider chemically treating it. Does anyone know of a suitable product?

 

[steveR]

Has anyone had an issue with Lichens on their solar PV panels? Ours are being cleaned today and there is considerable Lichen left on them. I am advised to consider chemically treating it. Does anyone know of a suitable product?

Patio cleaner...?

 

[Exfarmer]

Lichen build up normally on panels which are not south facing. They are an issue. There are products like Jarden which I have used very succesfully in my garden which do not appear harsh but, I have never used them on panels!
It is an issue we are facing on some east facing panels, but so far it is not a big issue

 

[steveR]

Something like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Patio-Mo...686417&hash=item2106801a12:g:UEgAAOSwv-NWXwao

Tempted to try a bit on the solar farm and see what it's like. Put it in the quad sprayer and drive along the rows with a lance...

 

[chickens and wheat]

I used patio magic on lichens, mainly appearing on the panel surround frames not the flat glass, poultry shed so some dust to promote lichen growth

 

[Turnip_Head]

Are Oerlikon solar panels the best or USA made?

 

[TristanTonks]

Guys - 10 years in solar energy and get a window cleaner to do it using a waterfed pole with purified water. Purified water will give the best clean and will not leave deposits. you should have them cleaned every 6 months. sometimes more, for example - on Chicken sheds where there is a lot of dust.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

I think ours were a bit overdue for a clean

 

[f0ster]

we have just added two more strings to a 50kw system and a new inverter due to the old one failed. the new strings were more than double the output of the existing strings due to dust build up on the existing panels.