Solar panel cleaning

[Pudsey Bear]

I've never had a prob cleaning my panel.

I included you in my #3 post Jeff

 

[mark61]

I do clean mine, but rarely. Did consider putting rain-X on them once, but couldn't be bothered, which was probably the right choice

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Looks like you did right Mark.

No, Rain-X Original Glass Treatment is not recommended for use on solar panels by the manufacturer itself. Using it could potentially damage the panels, interfere with their anti-reflective coatings, or even void the manufacturer's warranty

 

[barryd]

All this rain they should be sparkling now!

 

[mark61]

The thermal solars on my roof are self cleaning glass. Never been cleaned in over 20 years and they'll be cleaner than the panels are on the van about a month after cleaning them. Which is handy cause they are a lot higher up than the ones on the van.

Luckily I can change the air vent through the velux, otherwise the panels would be a pointless ornament by now.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We have one of those, but we stopped using it, we got a firm in for advice on recommisioning it, and servicing cost per year and how much it would save, we didn't bother, 4 years ago it would have been around £300 to make sure it was up and running properly, about the same to service it, and it might have saved us £50 per year, it would save more now, but a photvoltaic panel would be more money saving over time.

 

[Wooie1958]

Just water then dry off so there are no water stains.

I used an AutoGlm chamois that gripped nicely around the washbrush head.

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[mark61]

We have one of those, but we stopped using it, we got a firm in for advice on recommisioning it, and servicing cost per year and how much it would save, we didn't bother, 4 years ago it would have been around £300 to make sure it was up and running properly, about the same to service it, and it might have saved us £50 per year, it would save more now, but a photvoltaic panel would be more money saving over time.

If I were doing it today, I'd certainly go for photovoltaics, back then it was a bit more of a PIA.
I've not spent £300 on them in over 20 years, they still work well, not as well as they used to. Still on really good days they'll make 100's of litres of very hot water, always on the days when all you want is a cold shower.

 

[Fazerloz]

Looks like you did right Mark.

No, Rain-X Original Glass Treatment is not recommended for use on solar panels by the manufacturer itself. Using it could potentially damage the panels, interfere with their anti-reflective coatings, or even void the manufacturer's warranty

Cheers I was considering using Rainx myself.

 

[Nabsim]

Never bothered cleaning panels. Can't say its made any difference. They still seem to perform the same

Nor me unless they get a lot of snow on them, I sometimes clear that off if there is sun as well

 

[merl]

The frame around the edges of the glass seems to make things worse, if there were gaps in the corners or no frame at all then the water would be free to run off but as most MH panels are lying flat (except show off Jeff) you always get pooling somewhere and the crap settles around the edges over time.

 

[mistericeman]

I’m just glad Barry never started this thread, we would be on page 100 bye now, and be discussing something completely different

He won't have given up yet.....

 

[exwindsurfer]

The frame around the edges of the glass seems to make things worse, if there were gaps in the corners or no frame at all then the water would be free to run off but as most MH panels are lying flat (except show off Jeff) you always get pooling somewhere and the crap settles around the edges over time.

I actually filed the corners
of the panels Merl to let the water run out .

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Just drill a hole in each corner, job done

 

[merl]

I actually filed the corners
of the panels Merl to let the water run out .

I'd have expected you'd have some sort of automated robo mop system going on Jeff.

 

[exwindsurfer]

I'd have expected you'd have some sort of automated robo mop system going on Jeff.

I have Merl it's call a wife lololol

 

[merl]

I have Merl it's call a wife lololol

Er...Jeff....you really cant call your wife "Robo Mop" mate.

 

[exwindsurfer]

Er...Jeff....you really cant call your wife "Robo Mop" mate.

And worse lololol

 

[Robmac]

And worse lololol

This could cost you beer Jeff!

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Er...Jeff....you really cant call your wife "Robo Mop" mate.

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