Brucey
Solar Wizard
Great idea.
Panel Cleaning!!
- Thread starter clayswen
- Start date
ricardocello
Watching and Learning
Sure, but when that new panel gets dirty, .... One more panel?Least effort is just install one more panel if the rest are dirtyand probably cheaper than a plastic barrel and pressure washer - or even a fancy mop
If your name is Tim... probablySure, but when that new panel gets dirty, .... One more panel?
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2022
- Messages
- 18,901
More , is always better.
robbob2112
Doing more research, mosty harmless
Condensate tends towards the acidic. Probably not enough to do any damage, but is it the best thing to use? From my tankless water heater and furnace I have to run it through a remineralizer before it goes down to the septic or it will eat away at any concrete
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2022
- Messages
- 18,901
All of my condensate drains and the drain from my small commercial ice machine, collect in a 20 gallon tank that feeds one of the toilets.
I guess that you could say that it's also remineralized before going to the septic. lol
I guess that you could say that it's also remineralized before going to the septic. lol
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So its condensed moisture from room air, any thing acidic I blame on the wife. Technically, any body odor(methane) or room dust will be in it tiny amount.
What condensate that comes out of a gas furnace or water heater is from combustion and yes, its slightly acidic. I had a drain running across a cement basement floor to a drain that corroded about 12" of concrete over a few years.
clayswen
New Member
We will get a lot more dust starting in the summer dry season. I will see how much it affects the production. Dang sure don't wanna be cleaning them every week, but once a month would be within the realm of possibility. I haven't had mine long enough to tell how much everything changes production. (Like a huge pile of bird poo on a panel) For some reason I'm envisioning a giant stork taking a crap on them.
wattmatters
Solar Wizard
Only cleaned once since installing in 2018. That was last year and more for aesthetics than functionality.
Before
After
Just used a telescopic washing brush with hose attachment for water and that was it.
Before
After
Just used a telescopic washing brush with hose attachment for water and that was it.
Speaking of bird poo, if you run high power strings you may want to read this;(Like a huge pile of bird poo on a panel) For some reason I'm envisioning a giant stork taking a crap on them.
https://cleansolar.solutions/effect-of-bird-droppings-on-solar-panels/
Brucey
Solar Wizard
Seems like you'd want to treat the panels like a vehicles paint. Don't let bird poop linger. Wonder if waxing would help protect the panels? Traditional carnauba versus synthetic?
ricardocello
Watching and Learning
How about Rain-X? The water would run off more easily, taking the poo with it.
The issue is the cell in series gains resistance when there is low light creating a bottle neck or hot spot. Check out this thread I started a while back; By the way, I have seen hot cells using FLIR while completely clean.
Why I keep my panel strings under 1KW and under 80v
link - solar panel fire / google images Edit; updated title.
diysolarforum.com
clayswen
New Member
I've seen some threads about rainx but no hard details on if anyone has done it. Surely it wouldn't hurt the panel. I use rainx washer fluid on all of our vehicles windshields. I can drive down the road in a heavy rain and never use the wipers. The water just disperses as fast as it hits the windshield.
clayswen
New Member
Wow those do look a hell of a lot better. I'm gonna try to clean mine once per month real good with the same brush you use.
nycamper62
New Member
My setup is in the woods so yeah, friggin birds & pollen. I keep an extended windshield squeegee nearby, everything is within reach after some rain.
clayswen
New Member
Could you tell if clean panels helped your production or was it negligible?
PotusGobbleBottom
Corn Pop was a bad dude.
That is so true!! If my ground mount wasnt next to my garden I wouldnt clean them. I just happen to have a hose in my hand so why not.
