[RE-wrenches] Cleaning PV mods

[August Goers]

I now live in a more rural part of California and the dust buildup and bird
droppings on my modules cuts energy production down by about 5% during the
dry months. I imagine that professional cleaning services would still cost
more than the recouped energy production, especially since the dirt builds
back up in just a couple of weeks.

Anyway, I've had good luck spraying down my array with water and then using
a long squeegee similar to but larger than the type they have at gas
stations. The sponge side is helpful to scrub the buildup off and the
squeegee side helps avoid water spots. Typically no cleanser is necessary,
although a mild car wash mix can help if there is sooty or oily buildup.

It is satisfying to see clean panels, even if it isn't recommended for most
homeowners :)

August





On Fri, Oct 20, 2023 at 3:13 PM Kent via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> Jason,
>
> This is the way thermal shock was explained to me. Thermal shock creates
> micro fractures in the glass. PV modules have tough tempered glass so one
> thermal shock event, or a few dozen events, is unlikely to cause a module
> to fracture; but eventually the glass gets to the last straw when the micro
> fractures connect to each other and the whole pane breaks up. You can't do
> much about sun showers but you can certainly avoid spraying the hose on hot
> glass.
> Kent Osterberg
> Blue Mountain Solar
>
>
> On 10/20/2023 1:47 PM, Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches wrote:
>
> I don't understand the thermal shock nonsense. It routinely starts
> downpouring here when it's blazing hot out (sun showers) and the rain is
> way cooler than ground water in summer. It makes no sense. If hose water
> from the ground is going to hurt solar panels, you better not put them
> where it rains!
>
> I replied privately to Dana, but for the benefit of the group, it takes a
> heavy soiling to make any appreciable difference. I have done numerous
> tests at times of high pollen and found little to no benefit to cleaning
> solar panels. Certainly it would not be worth paying someone to do it.
> Other climates may have different results. My suggestion would be to test
> first. Module level power electronics can provide incontrovertible proof.
>
> Jason
>
>
>
> On Fri, Oct 20, 2023, 4:21 PM Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches <
> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
>> Hi Dana,
>>
>> See attached from REC. I would imagine these guidelines would apply to
>> all modules.
>> Cheers,
>> Dave
>>
>> On Fri, Oct 20, 2023 at 3:56 PM Dana Orzel via RE-wrenches <
>> re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>>
>>> Hey ally ‘all,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Ok bad solar installer! 7 years & I have never cleaned my modules & live
>>> on a dirt road. Yeah rain does a good job with the dust but there is a film
>>> mostly on the edges.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> What does everyone do for cleaning?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> My array is 16’+ tall on a hill side. I have a pressure washer & was
>>> going to pick up a large sponge type mop & mount it on a painters extension
>>> pole.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Good Biodegradable cleaning solutions?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> Dana Orzel                GREAT SOLAR WORKS!
>>>
>>> C – 208.721.7003      E – dana at solarwork.com
>>>
>>> W - www. greatsolarworks.com     www.solarwork.com
>>>
>>> *“Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988!”*
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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