Solar panel cleaning

rodders

rodders

rodders

Soldato
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Whilst shifting some pigeons on today, I noticed a lot of the Saharan sand on the panels.

Seeing that panels are to save me money, paying a few hundred quid out for someone to clean them see counter intuitive.

Do any of you clean you own, if so what do you use, is it actually clean after?

Will have to do it from the ground, I do have a little bit of flat roof out one bedroom window, but it wouldn't be be ideal to use, unless really needed too.
 
First rule, turn it off so you dont get killed.

I do my ones myself every year otherwise i would get zero benefit.

I use window cleaning pole and the heads they use to clean glass.

I add a tiny amount of fairy and wash it straight after with hose pipe.

No idea if that is the right way to do it but it works for me, they look clean and never had an issue in 7 years i owned them.
 
rodders said:
Whilst shifting some pigeons on today, I noticed a lot of the Saharan sand on the panels.

Seeing that panels are to save me money, paying a few hundred quid out for someone to clean them see counter intuitive.

Do any of you clean you own, if so what do you use, is it actually clean after?

Will have to do it from the ground, I do have a little bit of flat roof out one bedroom window, but it wouldn't be be ideal to use, unless really needed too.
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Why will it cost hundreds of pounds for a clean? Unless you have a solar farm, that’s an awful lot. I clean solar panels on occasion and charge about £3 per panel. Usually manage to clean them from the ground as well.
 
Bumping an old thread but my window cleaner quoted me £170 to clean 10 panels today, said a quick degrease and rinse £60 it just sounds diabolical. That’s to do them from the ground with a pole.

I might be on Aliexpress later looking for a brush and pole and doing them myself
 
ristac said:
Bumping an old thread but my window cleaner quoted me £170 to clean 10 panels today, said a quick degrease and rinse £60 it just sounds diabolical. That’s to do them from the ground with a pole.

I might be on Aliexpress later looking for a brush and pole and doing them myself
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Bit of rope, long sponge to wrap around it 2 people and just walk left and right to move sponge across :D

Or weigh it down on other side of house.
 
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I’ve been doing some research and came across these:

brodexbms.co.uk

Water Fed Poles for Window Cleaners - Brodex

Take a look at the best range of poles we have ever manufactured.
brodexbms.co.uk brodexbms.co.uk

Telescopic Poles - Water-Fed Poles & Fittings - All Products

gardinerpolesystems.co.uk gardinerpolesystems.co.uk

They are allegedly what the pros use.

But yeh like others, paying £6 per panel, I’d get payback on my own pole after 2 cleans. I’d suggest buying a canister filled with deionising resin if you live in a hard water area otherwise you’ll replace dust with hard water stains.
 
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I have the Brodex alligator, been using it on the windows and panels for a few years.
Have a resin filter too, as we are a very hard water area.
Does the job, actually should do it again next week when I'm off work.
 
rodders said:
Whilst shifting some pigeons on today, I noticed a lot of the Saharan sand on the panels.

Seeing that panels are to save me money, paying a few hundred quid out for someone to clean them see counter intuitive.

Do any of you clean you own, if so what do you use, is it actually clean after?

Will have to do it from the ground, I do have a little bit of flat roof out one bedroom window, but it wouldn't be be ideal to use, unless really needed too.
Click to expand...

Not necessary. Next time it rains it'll clear enough of it off for it to be as good as you washing it. Besides you'd need to use deionised water etc.. or even better use a water butt full of rain water which doesn't have any of the metals in tap water....

Or just don't spend any money and wait for rain. The percentage gain you'll get will barely be noticeable.

If you have lichen build up or actual moss as well building up then sure it's worth it. But once a year or on as needed basis.

This is just my opinion, and after nearly 4 years I've not had to do it yet. But perhaps I'm lucky. :)
 
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I can certainly see dirt on them, even after rain. Whether it really makes that much diff to output, I doubt it.
But I use it to clean the windows too and not pay someone for that.

I have used water butt water before, but then bought a resin filter.
 
Freefaller said:
Not necessary. Next time it rains it'll clear enough of it off for it to be as good as you washing it. Besides you'd need to use deionised water etc.. or even better use a water butt full of rain water which doesn't have any of the metals in tap water....

Or just don't spend any money and wait for rain. The percentage gain you'll get will barely be noticeable.

If you have lichen build up or actual moss as well building up then sure it's worth it. But once a year or on as needed basis.

This is just my opinion, and after nearly 4 years I've not had to do it yet. But perhaps I'm lucky. :)
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Pressure washer + water butt and make it rain whenever :D, camp out in front garden with a beer firing it up in the air :D
 
rodders said:
I can certainly see dirt on them, even after rain. Whether it really makes that much diff to output, I doubt it.
But I use it to clean the windows too and not pay someone for that.

I have used water butt water before, but then bought a resin filter.
Click to expand...

I know how you feel. I just can't be arsed! But if you're able to and it makes a difference to you that's all that matters. It may even help. That dust can be annoying for sure. The biggest issue is moss/lichen.
 
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