Advice on cleaning PV panels

[Mike90250]

Look at the Mr Clean Car Wash kit, and it's DI water filter cartridge. Forget the soap. Wash with plain tap water in the AM, before the sun hits them (cold water & hot panels = damage) and then rinse with the DI (spot free) feature. You can get the rinse DI refills @ amazon or ebay.

http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Clean-AutoDry-System-Starter/dp/B0006M56CE

mr-clean-auto.jpg

[russ]

I found this specially made solar panel cleaning equipment:http://www.parish-supply.com/solar-panel.htm and wonder if anyone has experience with it or what others think. I like the possibility of working from the ground and not having to climb a ladder because I am 72 and worry about losing my balance on flat dry land let alone on a ladder or slanted roof. Have not priced out the cost as yet. I checked the Home Depot catalog for specialty equipment for cleaning solar panels, but found nothing. Lots of cleaning supplies for windows.

Looks like a car washing brush with a longer handle and a very much higher price. You want a soft brush and you can probably jury rig a handle for it.

[Librehombre]

Thanks for comments

I found this specially made solar panel cleaning equipment:http://www.parish-supply.com/solar-panel.htm and wonder if anyone has experience with it or what others think. I like the possibility of working from the ground and not having to climb a ladder because I am 72 and worry about losing my balance on flat dry land let alone on a ladder or slanted roof. Have not priced out the cost as yet. I checked the Home Depot catalog for specialty equipment for cleaning solar panels, but found nothing. Lots of cleaning supplies for windows.

[axis11]

Glass/tile wipers

This is an effective and cheap way to clean and get rid of streaks in glass caused by hard water. Improvise a lightweight handle such as aluminum and attach the wiper . Just hose spray and wipe.

[Sunking]

Hose, tap water, and a squeegee. Phoenix is very dusty and the panels will need to be cleaned regularly.

[Librehombre]

I am confused. I have a new, 16 panel PV system that was installed last December and went into production January 4. Looking at the panels from the ground I could see a dust layer had accumulated by the early weeks of February. So I hosed the system down (from the ground because I did not yet have a ladder) I believed I was following the generally advised procedure of just using a jet of water.

The scheme of hosing off the panels was not very effective and I can observe streaks even standing on the ground. I anticipate dust is going to be a problem so I need a plan. Accordingly, I started searching the web for advice, and there is quite a range. Unfortunately, much of the advice is conflicting (use soap, don't use soap, use lint free rags, -- no, use a soft bristle brush). Our tap water is very hard in the Phoenix region and some articles warn against calcium buildup. They advise using deionized water.

Is there a consensus on this topic? I am looking for a low cost solution, meaning both time and materials. Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks