How To Clean Pv Solar Panels

Because you don t want to scratch the panels in any way it s best to use just water and a non abrasive sponge to apply soapy water.

How to clean pv solar panels.

Essentially in the same manner you would wash your car at home. Gather some distilled water and mix it with a little dish soap just a little. They found that tilted panels don t require cleaning as much as flat panels. The photographer s original title on flickr for the above photo is annual cleaning the solar panels day still unless you wash that dust off you eventually stop generating power.

The most effective way to clean your solar panels is with a hose and a bucket of soapy water. Solar panels are generally self cleaning but in particularly dry areas or where panel tilt is minimal dust and other substances such as bird droppings can build up over time and impact on the amount electricity generated by a module. You do not have to clean the wiring underneath. There are special washing brooms to buy with telescopic handles.

Grime and bird poop doesn t need to cover an entire panel to have an effect. Show extra caution if cleaning your solar panels requires you to climb up on the roof. Some pv technologies keep pumping out power even in low light conditions caused by a film of dust. Fill a bucket or spray bottle with warm water and soap no other special equipment is needed.

Solar panel wash modifies the surface tension of the water so instead of water beading up it will form a continuous film across the solar panels to lift dirt and debris. These are fantastic since they make it easy to reach the panels from the ground. This is where cleaning solar panels may have to be done. Look for a soft brush and start cleaning your modules with the water mix.

After all modules are soaped remove the soap with a low pressure hose. But first let s look at when and why you might need to invest in solar panel cleaning equipment or hire a professional cleaning service. Leave the modules to dry over 30 45 minutes and turn back on the dc disconnect switch. How to clean solar panels with water and a soft broom.

Clean the surface of the solar panel with a soft cloth or sponge. A soft household broom is great to use to gently scrub away persistent bird droppings from the solar panels. Fill a bucket with warm soapy water or cleaning solution designed for solar panels. Cole said solar panel wash is especially helpful in arid locations where dust is high and water is scarce because the wash allows for less water to be used in cleaning.

Use a soft cloth or sponge and wipe them down with the soap solution and then rinse them with the hose.