Cleaning Solar Panels

Panels installed about a month ago. Already coated in dust thanks to JHB sh*t dusty conditions. Took out a hosepipe and gave them a quick hose down.dust.PNG
 
This past weekend I happened to look up on the roof and noticed the horrifyingly dust-coated condition my panels were in. Gave them a good clean (last one was in May) and was only able to see the difference today because of the weather we've had in GP.

I'm ashamed to say I've been missing out on about 800W peak on a 5.5kWp array. I had put it down to winter for the past few months when in fact dust on the panels was playing quite a role. Definitely going to look at doing it once a month in winter from now on.
 
Flanders said:
This past weekend I happened to look up on the roof and noticed the horrifyingly dust-coated condition my panels were in. Gave them a good clean (last one was in May) and was only able to see the difference today because of the weather we've had in GP.

I'm ashamed to say I've been missing out on about 800W peak on a 5.5kWp array. I had put it down to winter for the past few months when in fact dust on the panels was playing quite a role. Definitely going to look at doing it once a month in winter from now on.
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That seems really really high, you will need to check base average as there could be some flaring happening.
 
Lupus said:
That seems really really high, you will need to check base average as there could be some flaring happening.
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Well while winter overall performance was good because we have clear skies generally, I noticed that the peak I was getting was around 4kW at the height of winter. Over the past month+ I'd noticed it actually seemed to be decreasing and I thought it may be due to crap air quality with dust in the air itself. By last week I was hitting like 3.7kW peak in clear skies and thought it a bit strange. Today I hit 4.5kW.

Panels were really quite shockingly dirty though. I need to remember to keep an eye on it.
 
Flanders said:
Well while winter overall performance was good because we have clear skies generally, I noticed that the peak I was getting was around 4kW at the height of winter. Over the past month+ I'd noticed it actually seemed to be decreasing and I thought it may be due to crap air quality with dust in the air itself. By last week I was hitting like 3.7kW peak in clear skies and thought it a bit strange. Today I hit 4.5kW.

Panels were really quite shockingly dirty though. I need to remember to keep an eye on it.
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Just remember with today there is clouds about and sometimes your peak will be higher as of flaring. But yeah dust does block more then people tell you. I was sitting on low 3, just hosed it off and was hitting 3.4 easily for a week until the dust came back.
 
Lupus said:
hitting 3.4 easily for a week until the dust came back.
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Now consider 4 months of neglect. :X3:

My weekend to-do list just got longer. Although hopefully summertime is a little more forgiving.
 
On occasions where I notice noticeable residue on my panels. A rinse with the hose, on a jet spray setting, and then a wipe with a clean(ed) soft broom, followed by another quick rinse. 5-10 minutes. Can't say it's a regular thing for me. We don't have terrible dust problems where I live. Not that I've noticed anyway. The wind helps I guess.
 
The Trutherizer said:
On occasions where I notice noticeable residue on my panels. A rinse with the hose, on a jet spray setting, and then a wipe with a clean(ed) soft broom, followed by another quick rinse. 5-10 minutes. Can't say it's a regular thing for me. We don't have terrible dust problems where I live. Not that I've noticed anyway. The wind helps I guess.
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Yeah, I've found the rain in summer is sufficient to clean the dust. In winter a quick spray every couple of months does the job.
 
Had my gardener clean my panels about a month back and saw an immediate 10% improvement. Was so dusty this last month in Gauteng though the panels were looking a bit brown again within 3 weeks but the light rain of the last couple days has re-cleaned them and they are back to looking dust free.
 
Already hitting 4.9kW with bluebird sky today so no flaring. That's 1.2kW more after cleaning panels and it's not even midday yet. :X3: :X3: :X3:
 
Reviving this thread :

2 years down the line in JHB I get the exact same power generated as when they were new.

So I don’t see the need myself
 
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Dolby said:
Reviving this thread :

2 years down the line in JHB I get the exact same power generated as when they were new.

So I don’t see the need myself
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Go up, give them a good scrubbing :-)
 
Dolby said:
Maybe if I see them dropping in efficiency … but it’s not worth it right now
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Right now, probably not worth it with the clouds :-). Unless you're not near a main road and get very little dust.
 
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