[RE-wrenches] Cleaning PV mods

Mon Oct 23 09:13:31 PDT 2023

When our area experienced a lot of ash from nearby forest fires, I ended up purchasing a telescopic brush that big rig truckers use to wash their trucks and had great success.  If I recall it was around $80 and it extended 20ft and came with a few different attachments.  

Bryan @ PV-Cables

From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Kirk Herander via RE-wrenches
Sent: Monday, October 23, 2023 9:02 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Cc: Kirk Herander
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning PV mods

A customer of mine has both hot and cold water plumbed to his outdoor hose spigots, similar to an indoor sink, so he can clean anything outside with a warm to hot mix if necessary. Obviously better cleaning than cold alone.

On Mon, Oct 23, 2023 at 9:45 AM White, Will via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

I worked with a guy who had done installs in Arizona. He had an off-grid customer spray down their array with cold well water in the middle of the day, which shattered the module glass. 

I’m sure it was an isolated incident, but it happened.

Thanks,

Will

From: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> On Behalf Of Jason Szumlanski via RE-wrenches
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2023 4:47 PM
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Cc: Jason Szumlanski <jason at floridasolardesigngroup.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [RE-wrenches] Cleaning PV mods

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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?

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