check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar Canegrowers rearview170 Cobb Grill Skid Row Recovery Gear
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Cleaning Solar Cells


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 103
Date:
Cleaning Solar Cells


smilesmile

Hi Guys

How do you clean your solar cells clean when you are on the road, at home I use a ladder etc and it's not a problem. Next year we are planning a 6 week trip and would like your wisdom.

Many thanks

Peter



__________________

Peter

Winnebago Freewind 2004

 



Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 57
Date:

My husband usually borrows a ladder when he can to clean the solar panels. There just doesn't seem to be anywhere to store a ladder on/in the caravan. :P

__________________


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 159
Date:

We have a 12' telescoping ladder that we have installed on rear bumper of 5th wheel. It has worked quite well. We also leave it standing against the "escape" bedroom window when we "camp" for more than one night.
Reed and Elaine

__________________


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 161
Date:

I have a 3lt. telescopic ladder that will get me to the roof to clean my solar panels and skylights. When collapsed the ladder easily fits into the front boot.

I hope this helps

Regards Chris

 

 



__________________

Every one dies but not everyone lives!!!



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 159
Date:

The telescoping ladders come in 10' to 12.5' and longer lengths. We have the 12.5'

 

Reed and Elaine



Attachments
__________________


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4375
Date:

Sometime at home, check the charge rate from the panels and then clean them and check again.
You will probably decide not to bother cleaning them while you are away.
They need to be VERY dirty to have any significant effect on performance.

Cheers,
Peter

__________________

OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 159
Date:

Oceanside salt spray can build up in a few weeks. We get "mud rains" in US and that can cause degradation


Reed and Elaine

__________________


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 103
Date:

Peter1059 wrote:

smilesmile

Hi Guys

How do you clean your solar cells clean when you are on the road, at home I use a ladder etc and it's not a problem. Next year we are planning a 6 week trip and would like your wisdom.

Many thanks

Peter


 Thanks guys



__________________

Peter

Winnebago Freewind 2004

 



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 159
Date:

As for cleaning the panels: just use a low pressure hose or a bucket of warm water. Wipe off with a towel if desired. Rain is what we usually use. Googled subject and a number of sites were very much against using detergent.

Snow is another problem in USA. Photo taken at older son's place in mountains of northern New Mexico at about 2300m. Just used one of his ladders and a broom. I had climbed the rear ladder to roof but it was so slick that i would slide just sitting down, a bad idea at age 75.

Those are son's panels to right of 5th wheel. He is off grid with around 5 kW of panels.

Reed and elaine



-- Edited by Reed on Monday 28th of September 2015 09:47:43 AM

Attachments
__________________


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2206
Date:

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

Sometime at home, check the charge rate from the panels and then clean them and check again.
You will probably decide not to bother cleaning them while you are away.
They need to be VERY dirty to have any significant effect on performance.

Cheers,
Peter


Agree with Peter. We hardly ever have needed to wash panels in 8 years now, with plenty of dusty bush work like Peter.

IF they are a problem you can wash with normal water and detergent and then apply and rinse off a kitchen dishwater glass cleaner, as this leave a clean surface that stays clean longer IMHO. 



__________________

Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.



Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4711
Date:

Solar panels are largely self cleaning. If you don't park under sappy type trees they don't need cleaning.

__________________

PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 159
Date:

Googled this and a number of sites noted that studies had been done and that normal dust etc had only a 1% or so difference. Sappy trees would be another case entirely. As noted in earlier posting, salt spray buildup by the sea can cause some definite problems. We had to wash off the panels when we were camped on beach in Yucatan. We just used water and a wet towel.
Reed and Elaine

__________________


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 103
Date:

Reed wrote:

Googled this and a number of sites noted that studies had been done and that normal dust etc had only a 1% or so difference. Sappy trees would be another case entirely. As noted in earlier posting, salt spray buildup by the sea can cause some definite problems. We had to wash off the panels when we were camped on beach in Yucatan. We just used water and a wet towel.
Reed and Elaine


 1% reduction.... hardly seems like a problem at all now. I think I'll wait until I get home.

Thanks all especially Fuzzball... borrowing a ladder should have been my first idea, sometimes I just hate the simple solutions that someone else comes up with.

 

Peter



__________________

Peter

Winnebago Freewind 2004

 



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 103
Date:

Hi Guys

Someone mentioned polishing them with Rain X, well I did this and they came up a treat. So now I have to wait and see how they go on our trip.

 

Peter



__________________

Peter

Winnebago Freewind 2004

 

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.

Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook