[RE-wrenches] Cleaning Modules

[frenergy]

benn and interested others,

        Just a side note due to benn's comment about cold water on a hot panel possibly resulting in cracked glass.  

        My 45 degree tilt, roof mounted shop array (5KW, Solarworlds) gets covered with snow in the winter at times...when I need the power the most (off-grid).  Even at that tilt, there are times when it takes a few days to slide.  I have a 50 Gal tank of hot water in the shop heated from the woodstove often that time of year.  The temptation was great, should I do it??

        I just happen to have a failed Kyocera 80-85W mod so I covered it with a foot of snow, air temp at about 15 degrees F, connected the hose to my hot water supply bib, turned on the too-hot-to-touch hot water (got it running hot off to the side of the mod first) and when the water started to steam I pointed it at the snow covered module from about 4 feet.  It took about 1-2 seconds for that hot water to penetrate the snow and hit the glass...I spiraled out from that point until most of the snow was gone.  Result: glass AOK.

        Yes, I then proceeded to clear my entire array of snow to collect many ground-covered-snow-reflected KWhrs that day.  The array looks fine.  My only concern since, has been maybe having compromised the frame/glass interface/seal in some way that may not show any visual impact, yet.  Though it was a different scenario in that I was squirting hot water from the ground below the array resulting in a pretty diffuse spray with virtually no force to it by the time it reached it's target.

        Jeez, the things we do for a winter off-grid KW.

Bill
Feather River Solar Electric

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Benn Kilburn - DayStar Renewable Energy 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 10:05 AM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning Modules


  Corey,
  If rain water isn't doing good enough, which it usually does depending on angle and other factors...


  -pick up a window washing squeegee (like at a gas station) that you can add a longer, maybe telescopic handle.  That works great.
  -Just use water, it works fine.  There is no need for additional chemicals or cleaners.  If bird crap or dirt is particularly stubborn just wet it, scrub it, wet it again and let it soak a few minutes, then it should wipe right off.  Keep in mind most module mfgrs recommend nothing more than a mild detergent added to water (read the specific module instructions).  
  -Be wary of temp differences between water and module glass.  Cold water on hot glass can cause the glass to crack.  Best to wash in the morning before the glass heats up.


  I've seen a few module washing products (automatic sprayers) advertised, but have no first hand experience with any.


  Good luck,
  benn


  From: Corey Shalanski <cshalanski at joule-energy.com>
  Reply-To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
  Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2013 7:20 PM
  To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
  Subject: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning Modules



    Greetings Wrenches,


    I am wondering if anyone can offer tried-and-true tips for cleaning modules: tools, materials, methods?


    --
    Corey Shalanski
    Joule Energy
    New Orleans, LA
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