Best Solar Panel Cleaning Solution | Solar Panels Cleaner New Jersey
The benefits of solar panels are plentiful, but if you neglect them for too long, you’ll find yourself paying the price. If your house is already equipped with solar panels and it just so happens that they need a little bit of cleaning, then hiring a professional to clean them should be an easy choice. The last thing you want to do is climb up on the roof and try to scrub off years’ worth of dirt by hand because this will take hours upon hours, and there’s risk involved in getting everything done right.
What is a solar panel cleaning solution?
Solar panel cleaning solutions are chemical solutions designed to be sprayed on solar panels. It is typically used to clean the solar panels and reduce the buildup of dirt and grime.
The general goal of these solar panel cleaners is to maintain the efficiency and effectiveness of your system. They will also help restore the protective coating that has been damaged over time or wiped off by previous cleanings. Many people wonder whether or not these cleaners are safe for their environment. There are many products on the market that take this into account by using natural, biodegradable ingredients.
Some people may worry about how easy it is to use the cleaners themselves, but most cleaners will come with instructions for application, so there is not a lot of guesswork involved.
Types of solar panel cleaner kits
Some of the most common types of solar panel cleaning kits available on the market include those that use hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and a mixture of sulphuric acid and water. These three different types of kits can be used separately or together to produce a powerful cleaning solution.
- Hydrofluoric acid is the most popular and widely used for cleaning solar panels as it can be used safely during all seasons.
- Hydrochloric acid is another option as it offers the same results as hydrofluoric acid but can only be used in climates that don’t experience freezing weather since the liquid becomes unstable when it freezes.
- Sulphuric acid is also widely used as it can be found easily and cheaply. It works quickly to remove rust, dirt, and stains from all types of glass surfaces. However, it only offers spot cleaning instead of removing the contaminants from the entire panel surface.
How to use a solar panel cleaning kit
When using one of these kits, there are some things that you will need to consider ahead of time. You’ll want to make sure that the area around the panels is free from any leaves, dirt, or other debris before applying the solar panel cleaner. It’s also important to wait until after a rain shower to clean so that all of the dirt and other elements are washed away naturally. You’ll also want to be sure to wear protective gear before using one of the kits. Wearing goggles, rubber gloves, and even an old t-shirt can help you avoid any chemical burns or other injuries before working on your solar panel systems.
Once this is done, you can begin applying the solution to your solar panels.
For hydrofluoric acid and sulphuric acid kits, it’s essential to spray the solution directly on each panel. You should start with one area and make sure that the entire pane is wet with the cleaning agent before moving on to another area.
With a hydrochloric acid kit, you should use a solution that is about half as concentrated as the instructions suggest and pour it into a garden sprayer before applying it to the entire system at once. You’ll need to make sure that the mixture covers each panel, but you will want to avoid allowing any of the solutions to drip onto the roof of your home or any other surface below.
Gently wipe away any dirt, grime, or debris from the glass in a circular motion using a lint-free cloth before finalizing things by rinsing the entire panel with clean water and letting it dry for 24 hours in an area that is shaded.
Once the panels are dry, you should see whether or not they need another cleaning by checking for streaks. If you notice any streaks after the first round panel cleaning, follow steps one by one until all of them disappear.
When to clean solar panels?
The best time to clean your solar panels is in the fall after they have been wet from rain or snow, but before the snow and ice start to melt. This will allow you to avoid any damage caused by freezing water.
It would be best to clean your solar panels in the spring after they have dried from winter but before any cleaning is needed due to dirt or dust. This will give them enough time to dry out and avoid any streaks left by dew or frost.
Finally, if you notice that your panels are dirty all of the time, you may want to check if your solar panels are positioned in an area with heavy debris in the air. If so, you may need to move your panels or look into different options for washing them without damaging the system.
How to clean solar panels
Solar panels have been an effective way of generating electricity from the sun. Different types of panels have been made from other materials, and this will determine a lot about the cleaning methods that need to be used.
It’s important to know what type of material your solar panel is made from before making any decisions about cleaning it. The most common type is made from polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon, and this panel will require a different type of care than other panels.
Robotics
Solar panel cleaning is becoming increasingly easier with advances in robotics technology. Companies are using it to create automatic and semi-automatic robots specifically designed for solar panel cleaning. It provides portable semi-automatic robots for solar panels and can be placed on carports, greenhouses, and shed roofs. In addition, it offers fixed roof robots for large installations in dusty environments that require regular cleaning.
Soap-less brushes and sponges
If you’re wondering how to clean solar panels without soap, there’s no need to worry. This is one of the best methods that can be used. You don’t want to introduce any extra substances or dust on top of your solar panels, so it’s best to stick with water and non-soapy products. These types of solutions are more effective than using soap or detergents. It’s one of the simplest ways to clean your panels, and you know it won’t have any adverse effects on them.
Waterless vibration cleaning
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and NASA-funded researchers have developed techniques to vibrate solar panels to loosen surface dust. A direct-current (DC) motor is attached to the back of a panel, which may be adjusted to produce vertical vibrations.
Nanoparticle coatings
The nanoparticle-based technology repels dust and is easily washed away with water, ensuring that the coating does not reduce panel efficiency.
Benefits of keeping solar panels clean and efficient
- More energy – photovoltaic (PV) cells convert sunlight into electricity, and a dirty panel will not let as much sunlight through. This reduces the overall energy output and shortens the life of the panel.
- Better Return on Investment (ROI) – Dirty solar panels need more cleaning over time, causing them to experience premature degradation, resulting in less return on investment.
- Less equipment maintenance costs – Keeping your solar panels clean prevents dirt buildup around electrical equipment, which can cause corrosion. This makes for lower maintenance costs. Solar panels cost a lot to install, so it’s important to keep them clean.
- More extended warranty – The solar panel manufacturer’s warranty is void if the panels are not maintained or are damaged due to neglect. Cleaning your panels gives you peace of mind that they will operate at their maximum efficiency for decades to come.
FAQs
Why should I clean my solar panels?
A: By cleaning your solar panels, you will increase generation and decrease electricity costs. You can increase solar panel efficiency simply by keeping them clean. Solar panel cost and efficiency have dropped dramatically over the course of the past few decades and panel cleaning is an easy way to keep production up and costs down.
How often should I clean my solar panels?
A: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recommends that you clean your solar panels more than once a year, or even quarterly. Solar panels generally produce less energy as they get dirtier, so it’s beneficial to clean them often rather than let a layer of grime accumulate.
What is the best solar panel cleaning product?
A: The best solar panel cleaning solution is the one that you feel comfortable using and trust. There are a number of products on the market that you can try and find the best solution that is right for you.
Is it worth it to clean your solar panels?
A: Yes, it is definitely worth the time and money to clean your solar panels. By keeping them clean, you can increase the efficiency of your panels over 20 years. Before you decide to buy solar panels, you should factor in the cleaning costs. However, once they are installed, you’ll start generating all this energy and saving money on your electric bills to pay for the cost of cleaning them!
What is Polywater solar panel wash?
A: Polywater solar panel wash is a concentrated spray-on product designed to clean your solar panels and increase their efficiency by removing dirt, bird droppings, and other organic matter. This in turn reduces the cleaning frequency, which in turn saves you money.