How To Best Clean The Ring Solar Panel
You need to keep your ring solar panel clean in order for it to be able to generate enough electricity to power your devices. A solar panel that’s covered in grime and debris can quickly start to lose its ability to generate electricity. However, what’s the best way to clean a solar panel?
The best way to clean a Ring solar panel is to gently wipe it down with a dry microfiber cloth. If there is stubborn grime on your solar panel, you can use glass cleaner or a small amount of water to help get it clean. Avoid using detergents, harsh cleaning chemicals, or any more water than would come rainfall when cleaning your Ring solar panel.
Let’s shed some light onto the best way to clean a Ring solar panel.
What Is The Ring Solar Panel?
The Ring solar panel is an external power source for Ring’s Smart cameras. This is an excellent choice for individuals who are tired of having to uninstall their cameras just to recharge them or replace batteries. This also gives your Smart home a little more resilience when it comes to how you power your devices.
Ring states that you get the best performance out of the solar panel when it has access to sunlight for 3 to 4 hours a day. This is an incredibly reasonable amount of time even for individuals who live in cloudy climates that don’t necessarily have sunny days.
This is an optional accessory so you’ll have to pick it up in addition to any cameras or kits you purchase.
Which Ring Devices Can Use The Ring Solar Panel?
Here’s where things get a little picky. The Ring solar panel only works with a few Ring devices. It’s a limited number of devices given Ring’s otherwise impressive catalog of Smart tech:
The Ring solar panel works with the Ring Spotlight Cam. This is pretty good coverage, but there is one device where the solar panel can be hit or miss.
However, the Ring solar panel only works with second and third generation Ring Stick Up Cam. If you have a first-generation ring stick up cam, the solar panel simply won’t work.
How Does The Ring Solar Panel Work?
The Ring solar panel works like any other solar energy source. This uses photovoltaic cells that get an electric charge when they’re hit with some light. This solar panel uses that electric charge to power up the battery inside of your Ring camera.
Because Ring cameras use so little electricity, the solar panel is more than enough to keep them powered up. After it’s been properly installed and positioned, each solar panel should provide enough electricity to keep your camera powered up indefinitely.
Why You Need To Clean Your Ring Solar Panel
You need to make sure that your Ring solar panel stays clean in order to get the best use out of it. Your solar panel will have a harder time generating electricity as more dirt, grime, and other junk starts to build up.
All of that grime on your solar panel will prevent sunlight from reaching the PV cells that make up the panel. This will start to cut off the amount of power your solar panel generates. The biggest problem here is that solar panels have a diminishing return when they start to get covered up.
The dirt building up on your solar panel might be hard to see with the naked eye. It could match the dark color of the PV cells or it could be clear to the eye, but blocking wavelengths of solar light that power up your panel. This is why a regular cleaning is a good call when it comes to solar panels in general.
How To Clean The Ring Solar Panel
There’s a lot of debate and misinformation about cleaning your Ring solar panel. Let’s clear things up so you can keep your solar panels clean.
Ring’s solar panels aren’t built to the same standards as the solar panels on the roof of your house. Those are much more sturdy and designed to be cleaned with soft bristle brushes, water jets from hoses, and mild detergents. Ring’s solar panels are smaller and need a gentler touch.
To clean your Ring solar panels, you need to first assess the type of dirt and debris that is on your panel. This is because you want to use the most basic method to clean your solar panel. The best way to clean a Ring solar panel is to do minimal cleaning.
If you can get all of the debris off of your ring solar panel using just a soft bristle painting brush, that’s a great way to keep it obstruction free. A dry microfiber cloth can also be a great choice for a quick cleaning on your solar panel.
Ring’s solar panels aren’t waterproof. They’re designed to stand up to rain, but a water jet from a hose or a sopping wet sponge might be more water than this device is designed to stand up to. With that said, a dry microfiber cloth can be a great way to get rid of some stubborn debris.
Now let’s talk about one of the bigger controversies for cleaning the Ring solar panel. Yes, you can use glass cleaner on these photovoltaic cells. One or two sprays from the bottle at a time won’t do any damage to this Ring device.
Problems With Cleaning The Ring Solar Panel
There are some problems that arise with cleaning the Ring solar panel. Most of these have to do with improper cleaning methods, so the advice we give above will keep your solar panel safe. Here’s a few things to avoid and keep in mind while cleaning the solar panel:
- You want to use minimal water while cleaning this solar panel. It can be surprisingly easy to accidentally water damage this solar panel if you try and simply hose it down or use too much water to try to clean it. Anything heavier than rainfall can jeopardize the water sealing on this device.
- You also want to avoid using harsh detergents. Your bigger solar panels can stand up to mild detergents, these smaller solar panels just aren’t built to handle soaps. Certain cleaning solutions can also eat away at the water sealing which can cause you more problems down the road.
- The best choice of cleaning solution is simply one or two sprays of glass cleaner directly onto the photovoltaic cells. If you need to clean the housing on the device, you can use warm water in a microfiber cloth to handle most grime and debris.
- You also need to be a little careful while you’re cleaning your Ring solar panel. We’ve heard more than one story of someone who is scrubbing a little too hard and accidentally knocked the Ring solar panel off of the base.
About Tristan Perry
Tristan Perry is a software developer who is passionate about tech gadgets, DIY and housing. He has therefore loved seeing Smart homes hit the mainstream. Tristan also has an academic background (in Math Computer Science), and so he enjoys digging into the technical ways that Smart home devices work.
Tristan owns close to a dozen Amazon Echo devices, way too many Philips Hue bulbs and lightstrips, a boat-load of Ring Cameras and Doorbells. and a bunch of other Smart home devices too (from Reolink, Google Nest, GLEDOPTO and others).
If you have any questions, feedback or suggestions about this article, please leave a comment below. Please note that all Комментарии и мнения владельцев go into a moderation queue (to prevent blog spam). Your comment will be manually reviewed and approved by Tristan in less than a week. Thanks!
About Tristan Perry
I’m Tristan Perry, the guy behind Smart Home Point. I’m a software developer whose interested in gadgets, homes and DIY, so I have loved seeing Smart homes (and home automation) become increasingly popular over the years. Read more.
How To Clean Solar Lights With Toothpaste Or Vinegar [Step-By-Step Guide]
Are your outdoor solar lights starting to accumulate a film of dirt, dust, and grime, but you’re not sure how to clean them? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together this step-by-step guide to teach you two ways to clean your solar lights.
Toothpaste method:
Vinegar method:
You’re probably wondering why you need to clean your solar lights. And are there other household cleaners you can use to clean the solar panels on your lights? Keep reading to learn all about cleaning solar lights and the best ways to do so.
Cleaning Your Solar Lights
When dust and grime build up on the solar panels of outdoor lights, it can prevent them from absorbing as much energy from sunlight.
The debris on the panel blocks the light from reaching it and limits the amount of sunlight the device receives to convert to energy. When a solar light is dirty, it may seem dimmer than usual, or it may run out of power earlier than it normally would.
Toothpaste Method
Did you know that toothpaste can be used to clean more than just teeth? It’s perfect for cleaning solar panels too. It has very fine grit in it that works to gently remove debris, buff, and polish. Just make sure you are using a paste and not a gel.
Apply
Start by applying a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to the solar panel, spreading it to cover the entire surface. Gently move your finger over the area in a circular motion to help scrub up any stubborn grime.
Buff
Take a clean, dry microfiber washcloth and begin wiping the solar panel in a gentle circular motion to buff out the toothpaste. Continue to wipe and buff the panel until all the toothpaste is gone and the panel is clean and shiny. Make sure to pay special attention to the edges to make sure you get all the toothpaste off.
Colgate Baking Soda And Peroxide Toothpaste
This two-pack of toothpaste is perfect to keep around the house for cleaning things like solar panels. The baking soda in this formula adds some extra grit to help clean surfaces gently.
The Vinegar Method
Vinegar can work as a natural cleaning solution and does well at lifting off grease and grime because of its acidity. It even works to dissolve hard water buildup and mineral scale. To use it on solar panels, you’ll want to mix it with water and a little bit of dish soap for a better clean.
Prepare The Solution
Combine a 1/4 cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water and a 1/2 teaspoon of dish detergent. Mix the solution well and then pour it into a spray bottle for easy use. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can mix it in a bucket or a large bowl and toss a washcloth in the solution to clean with.
Wash The Panel
Spray the solution onto the panel and use a washcloth to gently scrub up any debris. If you’re using the bucket and washcloth method, make sure to wring it out so it isn’t overly wet when you wash the panel.
The solution should help lift up any stuck-on debris and get the panels on your solar lights operating at top efficiency again.
Amazon Brand. Happy Belly White Vinegar
This vinegar is perfect for household cleaning and for solar panels. Each bottle contains 16 ounces, enough for multiple batches of cleaning solutions.
Are there Other Cleaning Solutions You Can Use On Solar Panels?
Using a gentle dish detergent mixed with water on solar is another way to clean them up in a pinch, but it won’t work as well as the other methods. The dish soap will lift a lot of the dirt and grime on the panel, but it won’t do much for mineral buildup. The acidity in the vinegar helps lift mineral stains left by the rain.
How Do You Clean Cloudy Solar Panels?
If you’ve tried the methods detailed above and the solar panels on your lights still look cloudy, you can try applying a clear lacquer. Make sure you choose an option that doesn’t contain UV blockers, which can prevent the sunlight from reaching the panel. Spray or paint-on options will both work well.
Rust-Oleum Clear Gloss Spray
This clear spray lacquer is a great choice for refinishing the solar panels on your lights. It dries to the touch in 20 minutes to make quick work of your projects.
What Should You Not Do When Cleaning Solar Panels?
Avoid using any rough detergents or tools when cleaning your solar panels. Things like scrub brushes, scrub pads, and coarse soaps like Soft Scrub should be avoided. Harsh chemicals like bleach and rubbing alcohol can also cause damage to your panels, so avoid chemical cleaners.
Do Solar Panels Work When They’re Dirty?
While solar panels will still function if they’re dirty, their efficiency drops significantly. One study found that cleaning your solar light panels can improve their efficiency by 50% after just a few weeks of outdoor exposure and dirt accumulation.
This can have a significant impact on the amount of time our solar lights stay on and how bright they are.
How Do You Know If Your Solar Lights Are Going Bad?
If you’ve already cleaned your solar lights and given them a few days to soak up some sun but they still aren’t performing to your expectations, then it may be time to replace them.
Most outdoor solar lights are expected to last three to four years on average, so if they’re nearing the end of their life, it may be a good idea to consider new ones.
Can You Use Windex On Solar Panels?
Yes, Windex can be used to clean the solar panels on your outdoor lights. It’s a great, quick solution when you’re in a rush to get your panels cleaned up. It won’t penetrate grime as well as the solutions we’ve previously mentioned, but it will help.
Windex Original Formula Glass Cleaner
This two-pack of Windex is perfect for a weekend cleaning your outdoor solar lights. You can use it on the solar panels and the shades for an all-encompassing clean.
Why Are My Solar Lights So Dull?
If your solar lights are dull, try cleaning them using the methods we detailed above. After a good cleaning, if they’re still not working properly check the weather. On cloudy and rainy days, they won’t charge up very well. If they’re three years old or older, they may be reaching the end of their usefulness completely.
How Do You Make Outdoor Solar Lights Brighter?
If you want to make your solar lights brighter, make sure you also clean the shade that protects the bulb. If the shade is dirty, it will block the light from escaping, causing the light to appear dim. Clean the shade with the same solutions as the solar panels, or just wipe them down with a soapy washcloth.
How Do You Clean Corroded Batteries On Solar Lights?
If your solar light’s battery compartment has some corrosion that is affecting performance, you may still be able to save it.
Start by putting on gloves to protect your skin from any possible battery acid then remove the battery from the compartment.
Use a cotton swab dipped in vinegar to gently clean the battery compartment and remove any corrosion from the area. Replace the battery with a fresh new one that matches the same specs as the old one.
In Closing
Now that you know all about the best methods to clean the solar panels on your outdoor lights, you’re ready to choose the method that’s best for you and start your project.
Don’t forget to be very gentle while cleaning your solar panels. Since they are fragile devices, avoid applying too much pressure. Good luck with your project, and enjoy your improved outdoor lighting!
For help with solar lights that aren’t working properly, read our article My Solar Lights Are Not Working After Rain – Why? What To Do?
To learn more about maintaining your solar lights to extend their longevity, read our article Do You Leave Solar Lights On All The Time? Should You?
How To Clean Solar Panels, And Why You Should Do It
Solar panels are a fantastic investment for anyone who wants to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their electricity bills.
However, to keep your solar panels operating at peak efficiency, it is essential to keep them clean and free from dirt, debris, and other contaminants.
In this article, I will discuss the importance of cleaning solar panels, the best methods for cleaning them, and how often you should clean them to ensure maximum performance.
What Is The Most Effective Way To Clean Solar Panels
Generally, the most effective way to clean solar panels is with water, a little bit of dish soap, and a large sponge similar to the one you’d use to clean a car.
An important thing to remember is that you don’t want to do anything to damage the surface of your panels. Before wiping down your panels you might want to use a garden hose to spray down your panels to remove dust and debris. If your try to wipe them clean without water you run the risk of leaving micro scratches, which can begin to reduce the efficiency of your panels.
You’ll also want to make sure you don’t use anything more powerful than a standard garden hose to spray down your solar panels. A power washer will be way too harsh and can cause scratches, cracks, and knock wire connections loose. The powerful spray could also cause large pieces of debris, such as twigs and tree nuts to become wedged in the framing of your panels.
Lightly soapy water is really the best cleaning solution you can use. Anything more abrasive than that can potentially eat away at the surface of your panels and create scratches and pockmarks. Some cleaners can also leave a film behind if not thoroughly cleaned off which can begin to reduce solar efficiency.
- Handle that you can attach your sponge
- A large, non-abrasive sponge
- Harness
- Long garden hose
Will Cleaning Solar Panels Make A Difference
A very important thing to remember is that solar power is about the long game. While the money saved trickles in month after month, year after year remember that solar panel efficiency follows a similar pattern. A small amount of dust, hardly any loss of efficiency…but over the years, that dust cakes on and that little bit of lost efficiency compounds.
The bottom line is that cleaning your solar panels will make a difference. As much as 3.5% to 5% efficiency could be lost each quarter of the year if they aren’t cleaned. Granted, wind and rain will help keep some of the dust from settling, but things such as bird droppings and tree sap take a little more elbow grease to get rid of.
The most important thing to remember when cleaning solar panels is that it will make a difference. How much of one though, depends on how dirty your panels are and the type of cleaner you use!
How Often Should You Clean Solar Panels
Your solar panels could use a proper cleaning twice a year. Of course, this should be increased if you live in an area that has more dust particulates floating around in the air. The time of year you do your cleaning depends on your area and the type of climate and severity of the various seasons.
Now, twice a year is what’s recommended for thorough cleaning but you may need to clean general debris from your solar panels more often than that. Here are some pitfalls to look out for depending on how severe the weather is in your area during various seasons.
Fall
In the fall, leaves and twigs may fall onto your solar panels and get lodged in such ways that wind won’t blow them away. This means you’ll need to get up there…or hire someone….and clear all of that away.
Fall is also when hibernating animals may be looking to hunker down for winter. The area in and around your solar panels could be prime real estate for squirrels, birds, and other nesting critters. It may be a good idea to get up there and be on the lookout for any signs animals might be calling your solar panels home for the upcoming winter.
Pro tip: Never use soap to clean dirty solar panels
One thing learned during the coronavirus pandemic was the effectiveness of soap and water — regularly washing our hands was our best defense. While dirty solar panels do benefit from a regular washing to ward off reduced output and efficiency, soap isn’t the answer here.
Courtesy: Premier Solar Cleaning
California-based solar installer and maintenance provider Bland Company never uses a cleaning agent on solar panels, instead relying on deionized water and a rotating-brush system to wash solar panels.
“Soaps can leave a film or residue that not only shades panels like the dirt that was just washed off, but it can also encourage dirt to stick and build up faster,” said Daniel Green, Bland marketing director. “We use deionized water that is applied through our rotating-brush system. This is the best way to leave the solar panels with a spot-free shine that’s as beautiful as the first day they were installed.”
Rather than risk Bland employee safety or potential damage to the solar panels they’re cleaning, the company has been using Sola-Tecs brush cleaners since 2018. A rolling brush is attached to wheels that glide across the solar panels, allowing for an almost-hands-free deep clean. Bland also runs the customer’s water through a demineralizing and ionizing system.
Courtesy: Premier Solar Cleaning
“[Sola-Tecs] is the only cleaning system we use. We’ve found that in combination with our water treatment procedure, it’s the best way to clean solar panels,” Green said. “It requires less water, fewer passes and no harsh chemicals or detergents.”
Premier Solar Cleaning (PSC) in Southern California also finds that using deionized water through water-fed poles and brushes works just fine to clean solar projects.
“If you have ever smelled your hands after washing them with soap, what you smell is the soap left behind, even though you cannot see any soap afterwards,” said Adam Fuller, co-founder of PSC. “If we used soap to clean panels, the very small molecules of soap would leave something behind for dust and dirt to build upon.”
PSC offers a full maintenance suite, including infrared inspections to find damaged panels that need more than just a good wash. Fuller also stays busy doing year-round “pigeon evictions,” cleaning underneath panels and installing critter guards to ward off birds and other animals. He takes pride in giving customers honest answers and showing how production will increase after panels are cleaned.
Courtesy: Premier Solar Cleaning
“The homes and factories nearest the airport and highways gather smog or oil-based pollution, which resist running off with a normal rainfall,” Fuller said. “These make some of the older blue panels appear black at first glance. Dirt on the surface reflects light away from the panels. A clean panel remains cooler, allowing the flow of electrons to move more easily.”
National residential and commercial OM provider SunSystem Technology also stays away from soap and uses filtered water and a rotating brush to clean panels, but director of marketing Jeff Struhm said the company uses a mixture of diluted vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to aide in scrubbing away dirt and grime.
“When rain happens, soil accumulates at the bottom edge of the solar panel, obstructing the lower PV cell row and hindering the production efficiency,” Struhm said. “It’s like a car getting hosed down — you still need to scrub it or use a soil-releasing mixture in order to avoid scrubbing.”
Sometimes just water isn’t enough, but everyone agrees that soap should never be used. That’s why lubricant manufacturer Polywater released its Solar Panel Wash five years ago. The highly concentrated additive isn’t a filmy soap; instead it enhances water’s ability to clean solar panels, said Charlie Cole, Polywater international VP.
Non-soap Solar Panel Wash from Polywater
“We’re giving the water the capacity to lift the soil off the panel as opposed to a solvent, which is basically surrounding the dirt particle and taking it off the panel,” Cole said. “[Solar Panel Wash] is safer for the components of the panel. It’s not going to affect anti-reflective films; it’s not going to corrode the aluminum rails. It’s biodegradable, meaning that it’s non-persistent, making it friendly with the environment. It’s not going to affect the groundwater.”
Solar Panel Wash modifies the surface tension of the water, so instead of water beading up, it will form a continuous film across the solar panels to lift dirt and debris. Cole said Solar Panel Wash is especially helpful in arid locations where dust is high and water is scarce, because the wash allows for less water to be used in cleaning.
“A lot of these installations are done in desert regions where the availability of water is really an issue. If we can reduce the use of water, it’s an environmental benefit,” Cole said.
Polywater works with panel manufacturers to get its wash approved for use to not void any warranties. Canadian Solar and other global brands have confirmed Solar Panel Wash is safe for use on their panels. It can be purchased through Polywater’s global network of distributors and from Amazon in North America.
Solar OM providers are glad the industry is waking up to the need for periodic panel washing.
“At the beginning, panel managers were saying, ‘Don’t use anything but rain water.’ People were taking that to heart, and then three years after the panel installation they started to see a significant degradation of productivity,” Cole said. “For a large installation, if your efficiency goes down by 50%, that really cuts into the economic justification that was made in the first place.”
Even on residential projects, homeowners will benefit from paying some extra attention to the cleanliness of their few solar panels.
“We oftentimes hear customers say that the rain does just fine cleaning their panels, and while the rain does wash some dirt off, it doesn’t truly clean the panels. If the panels are already filthy, the rain just makes it worse by converting dust to thick layers of mud,” Bland’s Green said. “The perfect analogy is to consider your car. If your car hasn’t been washed in six months, does leaving it out in the rain make the dirt better or worse? The same is true with dirty solar panels.”
Just don’t use soap — a little elbow grease and water work fine.
About The Author
Kelly Pickerel
Kelly Pickerel has over a decade of experience reporting on the U.S. solar industry and is currently editor in chief of Solar Power World.
Комментарии и мнения владельцев
I highly recommend following the advice given in this article and avoiding the use of soap to clean dirty solar panels. Using soap or other harsh chemicals can damage the surface of the panels and reduce their efficiency over time. Instead, it’s best to use a soft brush or cloth and plain water to gently remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on the panels. Regular cleaning of solar panel is essential to ensure optimal energy production, and this gentle approach will help to protect your investment and ensure maximum energy output for years to come. I also advise contacting a professional solar panel cleaning company to ensure that the job is done safely and effectively, especially for hard-to-reach panels or larger installations. By taking proper care of your solar panels, you can enjoy the many benefits of clean, renewable energy for years to come.
Hello all, My name is Randy with Tiki’s SoftWash located in the Inland Empire, Southern California. I own an exterior cleaning service and one service we offer is solar cleaning. This is a great article and the information is absolutely educational. I’ve read a lot of your posts and many of you have questions and/or suggestions. As a professional that has cleaned many solar panels I wanted to speak about what we’ve learned during our time cleaning. First, solar companies don’t speak about the maintenance because this can be an added cost or added personal task to your already busy schedule. Second, we’ve found that most solar companies though are knowledgeable about general info and installation are clueless when it comes to the maintenance of your solar panels. This truth has been realized time and time again in the industry. There are several reasons one would hire a professional to clean. One of the most important reasons to hire a professional is the safety factor. Being on the roof can be very dangerous. Though some may be very comfortable with doing this task themselves doesn’t mean they have the experience to work in that environment. There are many factors to consider while cleaning on either a one story or two story home. Two, many houses in Southern California have tiled roofing materials. If you are not experienced in walking on this type of material you can cause a lot of damage to your roof. I have witnessed much damage from homeowners trying to walk on there own roof for various reasons. Three, we have all the right equipment. Our truck carries 300 feet of hose and utilizes a soft rinse and a soft bristle hand brush with extension handles that reach 30 feet for small jobs and a rotating soft bristle brush for large jobs. We clean with water only and rinse with deionized water for a streak free shine. And last, BEWARE, most solar companies claim that if customer uses any soap or cleaning products or third party companies hired that use soaps or cleaning products, that this can affect the warranty. Definitely check with your solar professional before applying any cleaning products to your solar panels. Using DI water is the safest alternative to keeping your panels clean. If you would like to ask questions or make an appointment please go to our website at: http://www.tikisSoftWash.com Or call: (909) 375-0408
I live in the beautiful Central Valley in California. Since it is primarily an agricultural area, dust in the air is common, and will build up on solar panels. This layer of dirt will reduce the amount of energy the solar panels produce. I did a little research as to how the solar panels actually work and what wavelength of light solar panels use to generate electricity. I found that the solar panels use the visible wavelengths. Knowing that UV light destroys everything, especially in California, I wanted a way to block the UV light, and clean my solar panels so the visible wavelength is an obstructed. My conclusion was to use the same soap that I use to wash my car. McGuiar’s wash and wax. https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiars-ultimate-wash-wax-g17748-48-oz-liquid This car wash soap is gentle enough to clean the fragile paint on our cars, and contains wax, which will naturally be depleted by the UV rays from the Sun. I also use a car wash pass through Pole and brush that I got from Harbor Freight. https://www.harborfreight.com/instant-on-off-telescoping-flow-thru-brush-67658.html Each time I have washed my solar panels, I have gotten between 7% and 12% increase in production the following day. At dusk, after the panels have cooled down, I spray them wet with water, then using a spray bottle with a quarter ounce of the car wash soap and 32 oz of water, I spray a section of panels at a time. I gently brush the panels, then I turn the water on and brush the panels again rinsing them off at the same time. I do not squeegee them dry. My panels are the cleanest on the block!
Thanks for heads up in research. I live by Fresno. How long does the car wash last? I was using dawn dish soap and it would hold up for about a month or so before needing to be cleaned again.
I installed 27 panels back in 2020 and clueless on how to clean them after all the months. Being a car fanatic and only taking absolute care for the paint, I figured using the same method on my panels would do no harm. I mean if a wash mitt can’t or won’t swirl the paint, how can it do any harm to the panel right? I was very unsure on using meguiars but your post just gave me some relief, so thank you.
Panels can last for many years using this method. I have noticed that some bugs like to lay their egg cases on solar PV panels, these leave a waxy blob on the panel that is not always easy to remove. In those cases, warm soapy water, squeegee with a soft rubber blade, repeat until gone.
Has anyone tried that product called “ Wet n Forget”. Simply because I’m terrified of getting on my roof because of the slope. With this stuff I use it to clean the siding on my house. So I was just asking
It is pretty amazing how most solar panel cleaning services do not realize this. Down in Albuquerque, we mostly have window washing companies offer solar panel cleaning as a service and they have no access to de-ionized water. They wash the solar panels just like they’d wash any other window. We do it the right way though. Check out our work at https://www.solarpanelcleaningalbuquerque.com
One thing that is not mentioned here is TEMPERATURE. I live in the desert where the temp. is anywhere between 115 and 130 degrees all days of summer. Yes, it is hot! This (temperature) of the panels is one of the most important things to be aware of. The panels get hot so throwing cool water on them could easily cause the glass to crack! Not good. The ideal time to clean them would be early morning before they even have a chance to heat up. Other than that would be evening after they have had a chance to cool down. Just saying.
Great article! Solar panels don’t need a lot of aftercare but keeping them clean is a must, avoid using products such as Windex and never use a pressure washer to clean them! As other Комментарии и мнения владельцев have mentioned bird dropping aren’t so easy to remove!
I have just installed solar panels at my house and I was not sure how to clean that because if it leave water spots it might harm the panels. But I just got what I was looking for, and thank you for sharing such informative article with us.
We have a very thick layer of soot on our solar panels. It is so thick I can write in it. (We’ve had multiple fires very close to our property in the past two months). Water and a brush do NOT get the soot off. I am thinking of using Dawn dish soap mixed with water and a soft bristle brush. Dawn is really good at cutting greasy substances. However, I also understand it can leave streaks but streaks can not be as bad as leaving the soot, can it? When washing Windows the best recipe is 2 or 3 drops of dawn per gallon; I was thinking of doing the same for the panels. Please let me know your thoughts at your earliest convenience. Thank you, Pam
Your Homeowners Insurance should cover cleaning them if due to wildfires. I even had ash in the water basin of my coffee pot from the ‘07 WitchCreek Fire in CA. Even though my place didn’t burn, my HO policy covered and entire cleaning inside and out. Since the fires are a natural disaster your rates don’t increase.
You can also get a reasonably priced water deionized from Unger on Amazon. Its the blue model for washing cars. I use it for my panels, works great. Little bit of dawn on a rv brush and a long pole then rinse with the filtered water. Good to go.
HA VE NOT HEARD ANYONE TALK ABOUT PRODUCTS THAT WON’T LEAVE WATER SPOTS WHICH IS BAD FOR PANELS, ANYONE HAVE A GOOD IDEA ON A PRODUCT THAT WOULD WORK
Mixed vinegar and water. Splash you car down with it after washing then leave it in the sun to dry. You won’t have any spots.
Yes that’s a system call RO/DI water systems gives you 100% purify water and thats the only way not to get water marks on your panels and Windows i used all the time. The best results but is very expensive to buy! I have a clean business Check my page i have couple pictures there SUN SOFT WASH http://www.sunsoftwash.com Hope that helps you
We wash our panels with a mixture of water and Dawn soap with a final clean water rinse. We do this once a year after all the pollen has finished falling. Our problem is with stained roof shingles from between the two solar panels (facing south). We have had the roof “soft washed” with no real success. Someone suggested installing a zinc panel below the solar panels. Does anyone out there have an answer? Thank you
As mentioned in the article, ““When rain happens, soil accumulates at the bottom edge of the solar panel, obstructing the lower PV cell row and hindering the production efficiency…” This is because the Al frame is higher than the glass, thus prevents the soil water flowing out of the module surface. As Ramond Davidalso mentions, “Depends on the tilt of the modules as well. Panels at 30 degrees get cleaner with rain water better that 10 degrees tilt or less…” This is because the low-angle installed rooftop solar module is much easier to accumelate dust nearby the frame edge. Normally for the angle lower than 15 degree, water cannot flow out of the module surface due to the Al frame (like a dam). So there is a solution to add a small component onto the frame, which can help the accumulated soil water acrosss the frame and flow out of the module surface automatically during the rain, thoroughly remove the dust nearby the frame, also help remove the carbon-hydrogen contamination. This is a patent technology, has been sucessfully applied on tile roof top solar installation, of which the installation agle is always lower than 15 degree. If you wang to know more, testpv.com
I read the full technical document of a component so called ” Mud killer”，which describes the detail on how to remove the dust from the near-frame glass surface. Find the detail here: http://www.testpv.com/portal.php?mod=viewaid=25408
The need and effectiveness of solar panel cleaning is affected by many factors. The types of soiling, levels of rainfall, size of installation, cleaning methods and mineral content of water used to wash panels can affect the level of efficiency gains from cleaning. For those installations where frequent panel cleaning is required, an assessment must be made of cleaning processes and equipment and whether a chemical cleaning solution is required. If it is determined that a PV cleaning product is required, its panel component compatibility needs to be considered. Glass cleaning products and dish soaps are often used to clean PV panels. They can contain a wide array of solvents and their frequent use can corrode or weaken metal and water-proofing components surrounding the panel’s protective glass to expose underlying solar cells to the risk of damage. Solvents can also damage panels’ anti-reflective films to reduce power generating efficiency. Solvents like ethanol are flammable and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). Polywater’s SPW is a non-solvent cleaner that eliminates these risks of component damage. Approved by major solar panel manufacturers, SPW is designed to be a safe and effective PV panel cleaner.
Actually the worst case that affect the power generation is the dust accumalated around the solar panel frame, which contributes almost 80% of power loss. 20% efforts of dust cleaning for frame-side dust causes 80% power gain, in another word, 80% efforts of dust cleaning for the glass surface only get 20% of power gain. By using the “mud-killer”, all dust around the solar panel frame will disappear thoroughly. So it helps gain the 80% of power loss back. You may need not spend additional product cleaning any more. From the product document and field test, we confirmed the above mentioned. Please read and download the following article(it’s english version): http://www.testpv.com/portal.php?mod=viewaid=25408
Very well put together post! We need more people spreading the word about not using harsh chemicals on solar panels because they really can be harmful and can damage the panels. Many chemicals can be abrasive and can scratch the surface of the panels, which can reduce their effectiveness. Additionally, some chemicals can react with the materials used in solar panels, such as the photovoltaic cells, and can cause permanent damage. We’ve done so many solar panel replacements solar panel replacements due to this problem. It is generally best to use a cleaning solution that is specifically designed for solar panels and to avoid using abrasive materials or harsh chemicals.
When I was about 30 years old, I had made friends with a retired UPS supervisor, his brother, in a fast growing town in central Kentucky, (this was back around 1980, just before the Chicago Bears got on a roll for the 1985 Superbowl, … they owned a carwash/full service gas station, with a oil change bay, … they were quite energetic, in coming up with ways to provide a number of services for the community, … The one thing I remember JS, saying about that business, is that soap, does not clean cars, … and he showed me a barrel that provided the customers “seller”, … You see, the customers love to see suds, believe that it is the soap which is cleaning their vehicle, … And JS, acknowledged that the soap only helps in providing a medium to carry the dirt away from the vehicle, … The real “magic behind the curtain” was sitting just to the side of it, in a dry corner of the contents room sat several bags of water softener salt, … packed up 6 high on pallets, covered with plastic so it did not get wet too early, … just in case a water leak sprang from somewhere amongst the equipment, … Soft water was the key to cleaning, hot “soft” water would degunk just about anything you could find on any automotive vehicles, … from heavy trucks that worked the coal mines, to old grannies, that only use the car on Sunday, to go to church, to the ingle guys who would “cruise” the malls, … there was a lot of traffic that got washed at the self-service/full service car wash, you could buy a carwash, fill up your car, get the oil changed, I’d be there if you wanted to get your car waxed, … or to have the luster restored to the paint, then waxed, … I was too cheap, for the I was charging, but made enough to feed my family, barely, … but that is another story, … lol, … lets just say that I learned how to have, keep a nice ride without a lot of expense, very little upkeep, …
Airborne Hydrocarbons like to stick to glass, paint metal and, much to the surprise of researchers, who were investigating the Lotus Effect of extreme hydrophobicity; Hydrocarbons also like surfaces that have been treated to shed water or are in some manner modified to be self cleaning. TiO2 coating may be an exception but they may interfere with photon transmission. The hydrocarbon build up attracts airborne particles. Where I work in the SF Bay area, I’m sandwiched between 10 lanes of I-880 and one of the main off ramps to Tesla. Suffice to say, my car gets dirty. On occasion, I have noticed that a gentle but persistent rain, unaccompanied by wind and thus Rapid evaporation, practically leaves my car and the windshield, streak free. My car is 20 years old, the paint has signs of bossing from the car wash and yet a gentle, persistent rain leaves it pristine.
I measured before and after cleaning my panels at the end of a dry summer in Portland and found 1% or less output increase only. Very dusty locations probably more.
Seven years after installing PV on my Chandler, AZ home, I have concluded that cleaning PV modules is unnecessary. After a full year of operation I cleaned my modules and compared before and after kWh production. The day before cleaning and the day after were identical cloudless days at the exact same temperature. I discovered there was absolutely no change in kWh performance. While cleaning modules may be worthwhile in heavy bird dropping area or Fresno with heavy soiling from agricultural activity, in my firm opinion, it does not pay to do this in the vast majority of residential PV applications.
Car windscreen cleaner solution would seem to fit the task. It removes road film, bird effluvia and squashed bugs….
Use SWP Solar Wash Protect a concentrate Bio degradable solution mixed with water for better wash for long period. It is dust repellent cleaning solution for Solar Panels only.
Depends on the tilt of the modules as well. Panels at 30 degrees get cleaner with rain water better that 10 degrees tilt or less
Getting it soaked with ordinary water (without soap) for a few minutes before washing is sufficient to remove it.
I tried Rainx it works fine with rain, but in the winter snow tends to hang up more than on plain panels.
Must taste pretty good I’d say…you’re drinking everything else that LEACHES off your roofing materials.
I would have to imagine that he runs it through some kind of filter, most people don’t drink rainwater directly
This article seems to be using the word “soap” rather broadly. Of course you aren’t going to rub your panels with a bar of Dial soap! Detergents and surfactants are another story. They really help to remove surface contaminants, rinse easily, and don’t leave a sticky film. You need to avoid consumer products that have other junk in them like skin softeners, and the final rinse should be D.I. water. D.I. water by itself is fine, but sometimes an oily contaminant needs more.
The best way to clean solar panels is with rotating brushes or robots that have rotating brushes mounted on them. In our extensive cleaning experience (our machines have cleaned 100s of GW) soap is not necessary, just de-ionized water!
I’ve had my 5KWh system for about 6yrs now and I’ve been keeping a detailed log on its energy production, I’ve never had a service done and never had anyone wash the panels, I let the rain clean the panels and to this day it’s producing the same it was when installed, when I say same I mean no great reduction in power, very happy with mine.
Long ago, when Sanyo made the HIT solar PV panels, their product sheet called out “cheap” dish washing liquid, not the stuff with skin softening aloe Vera or something like that. Warm water dish soap and a (towel) to wash down the panels. First step was spray down all the panels and let the water drain, second step wash down panels with dish soap, then spray off and squeegee with a soft rubber blade. I’d say most solar PV manufacturers will absolutely say not to use harsh chemicals like Windex or cleaners with any kind of cleaning “grit”. Panels can last for many years using this method. I have noticed that some bugs like to lay their egg cases on solar PV panels, these leave a waxy blob on the panel that is not always easy to remove. In those cases, warm soapy water, squeegee with a soft rubber blade, repeat until gone.