Cleaning Solar Hot Water Panels

If your panels are readily accessible you can clean them yourself.

Cleaning solar hot water panels.

It is not particularly complicated. The most effective way to clean your solar panels is with a hose and a bucket of soapy water. Solar panel wash modifies the surface tension of the water so instead of water beading up it will form a continuous film across the solar panels to lift dirt and debris. Depending on your location you may need to clean your panels more often than twice a year.

I have always used clean tap water and a scrubby squeegee thing on a threaded broom handle. A study done in the united states in tucson arizona found that cleaning solar panels only improved their output by around 1. Cleaning in addition to what is done naturally by rain will boost panel output since on average they will have even less dirt on them but it doesn t help much. Solar water heating systems that use only water as a heat transfer fluid are the most vulnerable to freeze damage.

Optimally time the cleaning of the solar panels. These are fantastic since they make it easy to reach the panels from the ground. Mine are by the sea and get a salt crust on them fairly rapidly so need bi monthly cleaning. There are special washing brooms to buy with telescopic handles.

Usually a good hosing off will do most of the job but you can also use a soft cloth or a soft bristled brush or broom and some warm soapy water or glass cleaning agent if they are particularly dirty. Be sure to check your panel manufacturer instructions for shutting down the system before cleaning if necessary. Draindown or drainback systems typically use a controller to drain the collector loop automatically. Essentially in the same manner you would wash your car at home.

Gather some distilled water and mix it with a little dish. Disconnect your pv array from the inverter by pushing the rapid shutdown button or pulling down the dc disconnect switch. Brushing any loose dirt off before spraying them with water will make the squeegeeing process quicker and easier. How to clean those dusty dirty solar panels 1.

If the sun is beating down on the panels any water used can quickly evaporate and dirt will become smeared. Clean your solar panels on an overcast day early in the morning or in the evening. Cole said solar panel wash is especially helpful in arid locations where dust is high and water is scarce because the wash allows for less water to be used in cleaning. Gathering all of these tips let s take a look at a review of the steps you need to follow.