Does anyone have some tips around the cleaning of solar panels for built up dust etc? Like how often to do it, what performance gains to expect etc?  I was thinking of getting a long telescopic window washing pole to be able to clean them from a ladder, instead of climbing on the pitched roof, but they are quite expensive (R1,900) for 4m+ kits. Perhaps someone has found this type of equipment cheaper somewhere?

How about using a high pressure cleaner?

That should get rid of the dust etc.

Hi Bernardf

Just quick estimation and info:
My brother in law has PV set with 25 kWp on roof with 38 degrees inclination. It can not be clean manully at all (it is to big) and at the same time you need some direct ortogonall pressure power and enough water to efficciently clean up all the dirty from PV surface. 
He ussually order cleaning to proffesionals annually or latest every second year, professionals has appropriate equipment (lifting unit, saddles, water pressure pump etc).

The difference in PV power before and after cleaning is approx 5% to 7%, all depend what is the dirty amount on PV panels and of caorse what kind of dirty is this (smog, dust, birds picks etc.).

maxo

 

I posted this picture about a year ago. I clean the panels with a normal garden hose. Only hosing dust off with water.

Edited July 2, 20206 yr by GVC

Soft hair broom, extend with extra broom handle with piece of pipe in the middle, and if you got rain water in storage, then you sorted. Late afternoon when the sun isn't warm anymore, then you start washing them. I wash mine when i see there some dust on them. 

Check the weather forecast for rain. I only hose mine off if there's a long dry spell.

I get onto my roof once a year and clean my panels using clean water and a squeegee. The gains are immediately noticeable. My last clean 7 months ago gave me about a 9% increase in solar production. I find it best to clean early in the morning when the panels are still cold and the water doesn’t evaporate too quickly. 

We have a business in Mannum South Australia where we fit solar and lithium batteries to RV's (caravans, motorhomes and houseboats) Because the panels lay flat, water and dust build up to a thick layer around the frames that gradually creeps out till it starts to cover the edges of the modules. Just washing isn't all that effective because it just builds up again over the next week or so. We have been washing and then polishing using polish with a fine cutting compound already in it, it's call no2 cut and polish over here. This builds up a wax polish coating on the glass after the dirt layer still there is removed and stops the water from pooling on the panel surface. A simple hose off or the addition of a scrub over with a soft broom to get the bird dropping off, and the panel output increases quit a lot.  The panels then only require a detergent wash (we use something call Truck Wash) using a broom and hose, then a repolish every yr or so to keep them shiny clean and working well

 

T1 Terry