Hi everyone,
Newbie here! LOL
My partner and I are in the beginning stages of installing a solar rooftop. We bought a pallet of 30 SunPower 435 panels that had been decommissioned from a solar farm. They were filthy when we got them. After cleaning them off with water, detergent, and a rag mop, we discovered that there is a scummy, somewhat reflective residue on the panels. Detergent and water do not wash away the scum. Neither does window cleaner or rubbing alcohol. Vinegar attacks the scum and turns it somewhat hazy. Mineral spirits and/or WD-40 seems to clean away the scum, and then alcohol after that cleans away the remaining oils. (However, some scum seems to remain protected inside the dimply pits of the surface.) The scum can also be wiped away with some hard rubbing with a paper towel. (Please see the two photos - uncleaned scum with a bit rubbed out with a paper towel; a portion of the panel cleaned with mineral spirits.)
My conclusion is that this was some sort of hot wax that was applied to repel rain and what must have been a considerable amount of dust from a farming operation.
My questions are these:
1. Does my conclusion seem reasonable that this is wax? If so, would anyone have any idea what sort of wax might be used commercially on a solar panel? I am frankly surprised they have been treated with wax.
2. How do I safely clean it away without compromising the antireflective coating on the glass? The most challenging part might be getting to the pits in the dimply surface. Ideas???
Thanks, everyone!
Newbie here! LOL
My partner and I are in the beginning stages of installing a solar rooftop. We bought a pallet of 30 SunPower 435 panels that had been decommissioned from a solar farm. They were filthy when we got them. After cleaning them off with water, detergent, and a rag mop, we discovered that there is a scummy, somewhat reflective residue on the panels. Detergent and water do not wash away the scum. Neither does window cleaner or rubbing alcohol. Vinegar attacks the scum and turns it somewhat hazy. Mineral spirits and/or WD-40 seems to clean away the scum, and then alcohol after that cleans away the remaining oils. (However, some scum seems to remain protected inside the dimply pits of the surface.) The scum can also be wiped away with some hard rubbing with a paper towel. (Please see the two photos - uncleaned scum with a bit rubbed out with a paper towel; a portion of the panel cleaned with mineral spirits.)
My conclusion is that this was some sort of hot wax that was applied to repel rain and what must have been a considerable amount of dust from a farming operation.
My questions are these:
1. Does my conclusion seem reasonable that this is wax? If so, would anyone have any idea what sort of wax might be used commercially on a solar panel? I am frankly surprised they have been treated with wax.
2. How do I safely clean it away without compromising the antireflective coating on the glass? The most challenging part might be getting to the pits in the dimply surface. Ideas???
Thanks, everyone!