Solar panel Cleaning?

[Dirtbag]

For those with Solar How do you clean your panels? Do you use a service? How often do you clean them? We are 1 year in owning Solar and they are pretty dusty

 

[Dunerking]

I get on the roof at least twice a year with hose,pool brush pole with rag wrapped around brush…scrub as much bird shit or whatever has stuck on hose off and use a dry towel to finish. Seems to make a big difference when there clean.
But I also maintain our pool,landscape,vehicle oil changes and etc. a lot of people just sit back make a phone call pay for everything.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Mine don’t seem to get that dirty and the rain does most of the work. When I have cleaned them I just hose them off, but I have never observed any difference in output pre and post wash…. I have a ground mount array so it’s really easy to clean

 

[JM21]

I have mine set to be done annually. Guy has a Deionized water system in his truck, uses my water with a spinning brush attachment to a hose. Gives them a good scrub then squeegee dry. I think I have 20 panels on a pretty steep pitch and I pay $350

I also am the pool guy, landscaper, oil changer but one thing I don't do is heights, extension ladders, and roof's mixed with water up there.

 

[golakers]

I have a service come 1x a year. @ $350

 

[fishing fool]

Mine get cleaned during the monsoons..

Many have said it's a waste of money to have cleaned.. See if you have a decrease in production before doing anything.

 

[CLdrinker]

Damn $350 to wash some panels. You guys are crazy.

 

[Taboma]

Damn, I'm getting a great deal then.
My window cleaner charges me $ 450, but that includes a shit-ton of inside and outside of all the two story house windows included.

I get my 26 panels done once in the summer, they stay fairly clean over winter with the occasional rain. One time I checked before and after a summer cleaning, made about a 3% difference.

 

[mjc]

I have used the hose end spray on window cleaner on mine but usually just wait for the rain. I haven't done them for at least 3 years and see no need to go up there anytime soon.

 

[Caydens Cat]

@BasilHayden for the truth if these really need an annual cleaning (especially at $350!!!)

 

[monkeyswrench]

I have mine set to be done annually. Guy has a Deionized water system in his truck, uses my water with a spinning brush attachment to a hose. Gives them a good scrub then squeegee dry. I think I have 20 panels on a pretty steep pitch and I pay $350

I also am the pool guy, landscaper, oil changer but one thing I don't do is heights, extension ladders, and roof's mixed with water up there.

So, you won't be applying for the Secret Service?

 

[CLdrinker]

Foam cannon and a squeegee on an extension. Piece of cake.

 

[GreenEnergy28]

I use a rv wash brush with a little bit of car wash soap. Just climb up there and hose/brush/rinse them. I wash them based on how dirty they get. Sometimes it is 2-3 times per year, other times I have only done it once all year.

 

[Done-it-again]

You are not going to gain the money back spending 350 cleaning panels...

 

[oldman]

You are not going to gain the money back spending 350 cleaning panels...

That was a question I was going to ask,
with cleaning cost are you still seeing a savings annually?

 

[BasilHayden]

I get on the roof at least twice a year with hose,pool brush pole with rag wrapped around brush…scrub as much bird shit or whatever has stuck on hose off and use a dry towel to finish. Seems to make a big difference when there clean.
But I also maintain our pool,landscape,vehicle oil changes and etc. a lot of people just sit back make a phone call pay for everything.

Here is your answer, first spray with water only, brush if needed. Dont recommend chemicals, soft soap if any at most.

 

[4Waters]

Get an extendable car wash brush and soap

Click the link, it's a legit Walmart link

Robot or human?

 

[Gonefishin5555]

The Palomar employee told me you don’t need to clean them. Water only if you do.

 

[Dunerking]

Here is your answer, first spray with water only, brush if needed. Dont recommend chemicals, soft soap if any at most.

Correct,no chemicals just a easy scrub to remove the caked on bird shit..were in Agua Dulce outside of Santa Clarita with acreage and with the dust collection during the spring/summer and zero to little rain I feel it’s worth taking the 30 or so minutes and clean the 40 panels.

 

[2Driver]

Damn $350 to wash some panels. You guys are crazy.

Yeah, but that also includes trampling your roof tiles.

 

[yz450mm]

Cleaning our 70 panels took me about an hour last weekend, and I saw about a 1kw production increase at peak output after cleaning.

The 16' extendable pole and window wash brush was about $75 from Home Depot, and I used the Windex outdoor solution and spray bottle.

 

[HTTP404]

I let the rain clean mine. I don't want people walking around on the roof tiles.
Mine are pretty dusty now and I don't see any decrease in production.

 

[NIKAL]

My house is a 1 story, but my roof is concrete S tiles. Leaning a latter against the eve, and with a garden hose I can wet them and with a brush on an extension pole I can get most of them, but not all. I’m not a fan on walking on concrete S tiles as it’s too easy to crack one, especially when trying to hold a brush or hose. This is when having asphalt shingles is a huge plus. I have seen gains in cleaning the panels.

BTW the way I cleaned them, you get wet and dirty, as all the water and dirt comes off the roof & panels and where I’m standing on the latter. The gutters catch most of it, but just wear crappy cloths if you do it.

 

[mash on it]

Only when it snows.
For obvious reasons.gas station type squeegee.

Dan'l

 

[02HoWaRd26]

Hmm 8 years and mine have never been touched except by a few rains and the stupid birds.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Have a company come out every 6 months. $100

 

[RACER J]

In the summer months I clean mine every 2-3 weeks with just water and an RV brush. I have a ground mount system so it’s pretty easy, only take about 20min. To do 24 panels.

 

[JM21]

Have a company come out every 6 months. $100

Your house in Murrieta? 2 story? If so, I need that guys number.

 

[TPC]

I use a extended RV brush and a A frame ladder, 5 gal bucket of water, a few drops of dawn and a 16 oz bottle of vinegar dumped in.
Then rinse
Someone needs to make a drone with a cleaning kinda dealio.
Soaked Car wash mitt stuffed with tennis balls in it dangling down and drag it across.

Makes a 6oo watt difference on a day like today.

 

[cjbuilder1]

We back up to farm land and between that and living in Central Calif. it's a 3 or 4 times a year job, Makes a big difference.

 

[Bajap1]

We use a service $6 per panel

 

[Roosky01]

Hard to believe nobody on here suggested you have your detail guy come over and do a surface correction followed by a quality ceramic application?

That's what I'd do if it were me.

 

[Rajobigguy]

Windex and Zep both make a window cleaner hose attachment that works really well. Suds them up and rinse them off. Quick , easy and does a great job.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I hosed off my panels yesterday and picked up 200 watts. Fromm 2200 to 2400 is 8%, Not much but every watt counts when you run 100% off grid.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Windex and Zep both make a window cleaner hose attachment that works really well. Suds them up and rinse them off. Quick , easy and does a great job.

This is all that should ever be done… no abrasives, no brushes, and most of all no waxes, coatings like rainx etc…

if the "solar panel cleaner" shows up with a power washer don't even let them get started... welcome to blown out seals, water intrusion and voided warranties for the inevitable failure/panel arc'ing

 

[THE WIDGE]

My buddy Danny cleans solar, windows, power washes, and cleans bins. He does an excellent job, Tell him K9 Matt referred, solid dude

 

[MPHSystems]

Damn, I'm getting a great deal then.
My window cleaner charges me $ 450, but that includes a shit-ton of inside and outside of all the two story house windows included.

I get my 26 panels done once in the summer, they stay fairly clean over winter with the occasional rain. One time I checked before and after a summer cleaning, made about a 3% difference.

So, if your summer bills add up to $5k, 3% is $150. Not worth it for a $350 cleaning, is it?

 

[Taboma]

So, if your summer bills add up to $5k, 3% is $150. Not worth it for a $350 cleaning, is it?

The panel cleaning is around $100, the cost of the window cleaning is $350.
Without a good annual cleaning the dust and bee shit accumulation would be far more extensive. Between that and a few good winter downpours, that program has worked for us for the past 14 years. Good enough we've never owed for an electric bill since building this 3600sf all electric home.

 

[MPHSystems]

The panel cleaning is around $100, the cost of the window cleaning is $350.
Without a good annual cleaning the dust and bee shit accumulation would be far more extensive. Between that and a few good winter downpours, that program has worked for us for the past 14 years. Good enough we've never owed for an electric bill since building this 3600sf all electric home.

Na, it only builds up so much before it washes off in the rain.

Couple of things though. Does your module cleaner cover you if they damage a module? Also, you want to avoid getting them wet if fey are really hot, could cause them to crack.

PV is surprisingly tolerant of dust and surprisingly intolerant of obstructions.

 

[scottchbrite]

This is all that should ever be done… no abrasives, no brushes, and most of all no waxes, coatings like rainx etc…

if the "solar panel cleaner" shows up with a power washer don't even let them get started... welcome to blown out seals, water intrusion and voided warranties for the inevitable failure/panel arc'ing

Not even a dedicated soft brittle, car wash brush and a little Simple Green?
My situation isnt about production issues as much as it’s about the appearance of my panels. For now, I can see them from the street when we drive by. I’ve planted some multi branch pepper trees to block the view but we’re a few years from blocking them. I hate seeing them dirty (OCD maybe?). Between the neighbors horses and my tractor and truck, propane delivery, etc all driving on the easement next the panels, they get dusty and dirty quickly.

 

[Rajobigguy]

Not even a dedicated soft brittle, car wash brush and a little Simple Green?
My situation isnt about production issues as much as it’s about the appearance of my panels. For now, I can see them from the street when we drive by. I’ve planted some multi branch pepper trees to block the view but we’re a few years from blocking them. I hate seeing them dirty (OCD maybe?). Between the neighbors horses and my tractor and truck, propane delivery, etc all driving on the easement next the panels, they get dusty and dirty quickly.
View attachment 1425167

If you’re going to use Simple Green get the aircraft friendly version. The regular will etch the aluminum fram work.

 

[Taboma]

Na, it only builds up so much before it washes off in the rain.

Couple of things though. Does your module cleaner cover you if they damage a module? Also, you want to avoid getting them wet if fey are really hot, could cause them to crack.

PV is surprisingly tolerant of dust and surprisingly intolerant of obstructions.

Thanks, but after 14 years of the same guy cleaning my panels and my windows annually for a system I installed when I built the house 14 years ago and not having damaged them, I'm thinking we've got a good system going here.
Rain doesn't wash off the bee and bird shit that being rural, my panels are get bombarded with. You ever seen how much a Great Horned Owl or a Great Egret can shit ?
Yes, panels are washed early, before the windows and before they get too warmed by the morning sun.

 

[scottchbrite]

If you’re going to use Simple Green get the aircraft friendly version. The regular will etch the aluminum fram work.

I use it sparingly. It cuts through the oak tree pollen that gets everywhere. I also have the same bird/owl/crow problem stated above. I usually find acorns and crap like that on my panels.