Cleaning solar panels is an important step to ensure their efficient power generation and extend their service life. The following are the detailed methods and precautions for cleaning solar panels:
Cleaning method
1. Manual cleaning method
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for small or household solar panels.
Step:
Turn off the power: Before cleaning, be sure to turn off the power to ensure safety.
Preliminary cleaning:
Use a soft-bristled brush or a photovoltaic cleaning brush to gently start from one end of the solar panel and perform an initial cleaning along the grain direction of the panel to remove surface dust, fallen leaves, etc.
Spray cleaning agent:
Use a neutral detergent or a special solar panel cleaner. Dilute it with water in proportion and then pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray the cleaning agent evenly on the surface of the solar panel. Extend the soaking time appropriately according to the degree of contamination to soften stubborn stains.
Wipe the solar panel:
Use a soft towel or soft brush to gently wipe the surface of the solar panel to remove stubborn stains. Do not use hard objects such as wire brushes to scrape, as this may scratch the surface of the solar panel.
Rinse with clean water:
Rinse the surface of the solar panels with clean water to remove the remaining cleaning agent.
Dry the solar panels:
Use a soft-bristled mop or a clean cloth to dry the surface of the solar panel to avoid leaving water marks.
Notes:
When cleaning, be gentle to avoid physical damage to the solar panels.
After cleaning, make sure the surface of the solar panels is dry and avoid water accumulation.
2. High-pressure water gun flushing method
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for large solar panel arrays or scenarios that are difficult to clean manually.
Step:
Turn off the power: Before cleaning, be sure to turn off the power to ensure safety.
Preliminary rinse:
Use a high-pressure water gun to wash away the floating dust, fallen leaves and other debris on the surface of the solar panels. Note that the pressure of the water gun should not be too high to avoid hidden cracks in the battery cells.
Spray cleaning agent:
Use a neutral detergent or a special solar panel cleaner. Dilute it with water in proportion and then pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray the cleaning agent evenly on the surface of the solar panels and appropriately extend the soaking time according to the degree of contamination.
High-pressure water gun re-washing
Use the high-pressure water gun again to rinse the cleaning agent off the surface of the solar panel thoroughly. Pay attention to the inclination of the spray to reduce the impact force of water pressure on the surface of the solar panel.
Dry the solar panels:
Use a soft-bristled mop or a clean cloth to dry the surface of the solar panel.
Notes:
When using a high-pressure water gun, be sure to pay attention to safety and avoid splashing water onto people or electrical equipment.
During the cleaning process, always pay attention to the changes of the solar panels to avoid excessive cleaning that may cause hidden cracks in the battery cells.
3. No-removal scale method
Applicable scenarios: Suitable for solar panels that are difficult to disassemble.
Step:
Prepare the cleaning agent:
Use a dedicated solar panel cleaner that does not require disassembly and mix it with water in proportion.
Pour in for soaking:
Locate the exhaust hole or injection hole of the solar panel and pour the mixed cleaning agent into it.
Let the cleaning agent soak inside the solar panel for a period of time to soften the scale and stains.
Rinse clean:
Drain the cleaning solution and rinse the interior of the solar panel with clean water through the exhaust hole or injection hole.
Fill it with water and rinse it several times to ensure that the inside of the solar panel is clean and free of residue.
Notes:
When using the no-removal scaling method, it is essential to select a cleaning agent suitable for the type of solar panel.
During the operation, be careful to prevent the cleaning agent from splashing onto people or electrical equipment.
Cleaning frequency
The cleaning frequency of solar panels depends on their usage environment and the degree of pollution. Generally speaking, it is recommended to clean it once every six months to a year. If the solar panels are installed in areas with severe pollution or in the surrounding environment with a lot of dust, the cleaning frequency can be appropriately increased.
Cleaning time
It is recommended to carry out cleaning during periods with weak light, such as early morning, evening or on cloudy days. Avoid cleaning the solar panels in strong sunlight to prevent damage caused by the hot spot effect due to human shadow or overheating of the panels.
Cleaning tools and cleaning agents
Tools: Use soft brushes, photovoltaic cleaning brushes, spray bottles, high-pressure water guns (if applicable), etc.
Cleaning agent: Use neutral detergent or special solar panel cleaning agent. Avoid using strong acid or alkali cleaning agents to prevent corrosion of the surface of the solar panels.
Precautions
When cleaning, operate gently to avoid physical damage to the solar panels.
After cleaning, make sure the surface of the solar panels is dry and avoid water accumulation.
During the operation, pay attention to safety to avoid accidents such as electric shock or slipping.
By using the correct cleaning methods and precautions, the efficient power generation and extended service life of solar panels can be ensured.
