Cleaning Solar Panels

southfork
southfork Registered Users Posts: 54 ✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1

I've been hosing my panels off once a week to wash the dust and pollen off . Since I have a ground mount It would be easy to use a soft brush and a little soap . How often should I clean ? Also I only clean early in the morning while panels are cool .

 24 solar world 285 watt panels with 24 Enphase 250 s ground mount grid tied .                                                                
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Comments

  • solar_dave
    solar_dave Solar Expert Posts: 2,397 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    I clean them when they look dirty.  Just a quick hose off.
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  • vtmaps
    vtmaps Solar Expert Posts: 3,741 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    southfork said:
     use a soft brush and a little soap
    I use only distilled water and no brush
    southfork said:
    How often should I clean?
    Whenever it rains B)

    --vtMaps
    4 X 235watt Samsung, Midnite ePanel, Outback VFX3524 FM60 & mate, 4 Interstate L16, trimetric, Honda eu2000i
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  • Johann
    Johann Solar Expert Posts: 245 ✭✭✭
    #4
    I clean mine about 2 times a year, one time in the spring when the pollen is heavy and no rain and one time in the fall after the leaves fell off the trees.

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  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    I clean as needed, and right now the Pine Pollen is coming on heavy.... so once a week unless it rains...
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
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  • South Africa
    South Africa Solar Expert Posts: 295 ✭✭✭
    #6
    I check the power they produce, if below expectations, I wash them.

    Otherwise I also use distilled water, no brush.
    5kVA Victron Multiplus II, 5.2kW array, 14kWh DIYLifepo4 bank, all grid-tied.


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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #7
    I hose them off early AM, while still wet from overnight dew.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • optiononesolar
    optiononesolar Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭
    #8
    Solar panels are self cleaning, unless you’re panel is minimally tilted or very dry. Using your soft brush and hose will do!
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  • Dave Angelini
    Dave Angelini Solar Expert Posts: 6,891 ✭✭✭✭✭✭
    #9
    Birds of prey are an issue sometimes up here. Those splats can be just in the right place!
    "we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
       htps://offgridsolar1.com/
    E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net

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