Cleaning Solar Panels

I've been all over it this season. Clean once every 2 weeks basically and there's definitely a build up by the time I get back up there.

Just got a cleaner kit. Will give it a go this weekend and report back.
 
Flanders said:
ecause w
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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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I never clean them. I have not noticed any reduction in output. Matches the same output from first install and I can see they are covered in a lot of dust.
 
denmendez65 said:
I never clean them. I have not noticed any reduction in output. Matches the same output from first install and I can see they are covered in a lot of dust.
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That’s what I’m thinking as well.

I don’t see any reduction.

Maybe in other areas or over a really long period
 
Ernabr said:
Dust impact on solar PV performance: A critical review of optimal cleaning techniques for yield enhancement across varied environmental conditions
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It would make sense that dirt on panels should reduce efficiency but my kWh generation hasn’t been affected. Maybe the dust isn’t enough even though I can see they are completely covered in dust. That’s the only reason I haven’t made an effort to clean.

For those that notice big differences maybe it makes sense to install a sprinkler system on their roofs? Then once a week automatically let the sprinklers come on for 30 minutes. I would do that, maybe I’m just excusing my laziness to climb and do it or pay someone.
 
denmendez65 said:
It would make sense that dirt on panels should reduce efficiency but my kWh generation hasn’t been affected. Maybe the dust isn’t enough even though I can see they are completely covered in dust. That’s the only reason I haven’t made an effort to clean.

For those that notice big differences maybe it makes sense to install a sprinkler system on their roofs? Then once a week automatically let the sprinklers come on for 30 minutes. I would do that, maybe I’m just excusing my laziness to climb and do it or pay someone.
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I heard cooling the panels increase efficiency... My husband bought a Gardena brush that connects to a hosepipe. Fitted that to a poolcleaner pipe. Our panels are cleaned every few months.
 
In dusty months I notice a reduction in as little as maybe 2-3 weeks of buildup but I'm quite pedantic about it. 80% of peak or above at midday is what I'm hoping to see.
 
Flanders said:
I've been all over it this season. Clean once every 2 weeks basically and there's definitely a build up by the time I get back up there.

Just got a cleaner kit. Will give it a go this weekend and report back.
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over 120mm of rain in Cape Town this past June, the panels clean themselves

... except there's no sun anyway
 
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NarrowBandFtw said:
over 120mm of rain in Cape Town this past June, the panels clean themselves

... except there's no sun anyway
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Yep, the wet season does the job well enough. You guys in the cape been having it.
 
I wonder if these people who feel rain alone is sufficient to clean solar panels feel the same about the cars' windscreens?
 
Ernabr said:
I wonder if these people who feel rain alone is sufficient to clean solar panels feel the same about the cars' windscreens?
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Numbers don't lie. That's the problem. If I noticed my output decreasing I would have definitely done something but its still the same as when they were freshly installed. Its also an effort vs reward thing. If we assume the output is reduced by say 10% but you still easily hit your energy requirements, why bother yourself?
 
Flanders said:
I've been all over it this season. Clean once every 2 weeks basically and there's definitely a build up by the time I get back up there.

Just got a cleaner kit. Will give it a go this weekend and report back.
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Nothing mop and a good old hosepipe can't fix. No need fo fancy thingies. No need for soap even.
 
Magnum said:
Nothing mop and a good old hosepipe can't fix. No need fo fancy thingies. No need for soap even.
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Lol, no thanks. I've done my fair share of traipsing around the roof with hosepipe in one hand and makeshift mop extension in the other. It's a PITA and health hazard. So far my tally of casualties includes one bucket, one sprayer attachment and one slop.

With this cleaning kit I should be able to do it all from a small step ladder at most. Setup is lightweight and hosepipe and soap dispenser plugs in and sends the h2o right to where it needs to be. That's the theory at least. I've assembled the thing but still need to test it in practice.
 
Since we're not getting rain, is there any value to just turning on the garden hose to full power (it has insane pressure) and having it "rain" down over them to wash away dust? I'm not getting on the roof, i like my limbs to remain in tact :)
 
neoprema said:
Since we're not getting rain, is there any value to just turning on the garden hose to full power (it has insane pressure) and having it "rain" down over them to wash away dust? I'm not getting on the roof, i like my limbs to remain in tact :)
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No, dust clings....You need to rub them good...
 
denmendez65 said:
It would make sense that dirt on panels should reduce efficiency but my kWh generation hasn’t been affected. Maybe the dust isn’t enough even though I can see they are completely covered in dust. That’s the only reason I haven’t made an effort to clean.

For those that notice big differences maybe it makes sense to install a sprinkler system on their roofs? Then once a week automatically let the sprinklers come on for 30 minutes. I would do that, maybe I’m just excusing my laziness to climb and do it or pay someone.
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What time is the battery normally full

Most scenarios at some point the battery is full and production is lost

This lost production can cover the dust losses and thus the daily generation is unafected
 
leon.davibe said:
What time is the battery normally full

Most scenarios at some point the battery is full and production is lost

This lost production can cover the dust losses and thus the daily generation is unafected
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Yeah bottom line is if your panels are covered in dust their performance is degraded, no two ways about it. On a system like mine where the pv is working all day without a drop off it becomes apparent.

I'm sure once I expand then these things will be less of an issue.
 
leon.davibe said:
What time is the battery normally full

Most scenarios at some point the battery is full and production is lost

This lost production can cover the dust losses and thus the daily generation is unafected
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Yup you need to take into account the whole day, not just the point of when batteries are fully charged and production is lost.
So if you've not lost any production since installation, it's possible your batteries are charged by mid-day, latest 1pm. Where after washing the panels I've seen the greatest gain is in overall performance not just quick snippets. So the boob looks better.
 
leon.davibe said:
What time is the battery normally full

Most scenarios at some point the battery is full and production is lost

This lost production can cover the dust losses and thus the daily generation is unafected
Click to expand...
Around 11 in winter, 10 ish in Summer. I suspect I may have more panels than I need hence why I haven't noticed anything. But I do check Peak generation and the figures are roughly the same. Don't get me wrong, I definitely think cleaner panels are better than dirt ones.
 
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