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Do you wash your panels? If so, how?
- Thread starter Southpasfan
- Start date
same here (2-story house, tile roof), though the last time i had my panels cleaned it was after the huge fires in the fall of 2020 and my production was way down, so i think the money probably did work out in my favor the last time... or at least i broke even.
Single story home with easy and safe roof access. Live in an agricultural area (wine grapes are surprisingly dirty in situ - also have an equestrian program about 200 yards away). 14 years of experience and data. General cleanliness (when the panels are visibly dirty on the lower third of each panel) - cleaning yields a 4-5% improved output over consecutive days. Last year with the fires - the ash accumulation was impressive - after the last ash fall, cleaned and got a 25% improvement day over day. Consecutive days for all of my measurements have the same weather and cloud conditions. I keep some pretty meticulous records for the entire life of my systems - OCD can be a benefit at times.
I have tried many different methods and have settled on the following:
23 foot extension fiberglass and aluminum pole with soft bristle 24 inch wide broom. Standard hose that will jet water to the full 24 foot length.
Early morning task, before the sun starts warming the panels - they are already damp from the morning dew. Work from the top down. Quick spray to make sure they are fully wet. Run the broom over the panels (no extra pressure, the weight of the broom head plus handle is plenty). Immediately rinse with water (no additives or soap). Panels glisten when done.
General frequency is 3 times per year (after final spring rain, mid-summer and early fall before the rainy season).
We essentially get zero rain May 1 thru October 31 - so May, July, September is the basic schedule.
I have tried many different methods and have settled on the following:
23 foot extension fiberglass and aluminum pole with soft bristle 24 inch wide broom. Standard hose that will jet water to the full 24 foot length.
Early morning task, before the sun starts warming the panels - they are already damp from the morning dew. Work from the top down. Quick spray to make sure they are fully wet. Run the broom over the panels (no extra pressure, the weight of the broom head plus handle is plenty). Immediately rinse with water (no additives or soap). Panels glisten when done.
General frequency is 3 times per year (after final spring rain, mid-summer and early fall before the rainy season).
We essentially get zero rain May 1 thru October 31 - so May, July, September is the basic schedule.
charlesj
Active Member
Until it gets so dirty that you get almost nothing.IMO, all this stuff in not necessary. Just add one more panel and do not worry about it
Nah, the rain comes often enoughUntil it gets so dirty that you get almost nothing.
I know I am not @astrorob but in my case, the company charges per panel and I have 34 panels. I think it works out to like $199 or $209 or something like that. I really (really) like the guy who does it, though. he is a small window washing business, who has been in business in my city for like 12-15 years. Super communicative, very technology savvy (has app that tell you when hes on his way, digital invoicing, etc etc)
He also does EXCELLENT work on my windows (and solar panels). I feel I am overpaying a bit when I have him do it, frankly, but I like supporting small businesses when they do a good job. Hes also a huge tesla fan, so we always chat about tesla vehicles, powerwalls, etc when he comes.
IMO, all this stuff in not necessary. Just add one more panel and do not worry about it
Thats @nwdiver 's solution, just get a rough estimate of how much washing them saves you, then add another panel or two and dont worry about it.
nwdiver
Well-Known Member
Until it gets so dirty that you get almost nothing.
Turns out that dirt keeps dirt off
I generally lose ~5% building up the protective dirt layer which keeps more dirt from sticking.in my case it was $160, so that's $10 per panel. that kind of money is definitely within the range of PGE bills i (used to) have (before EV2)
So I'm basically saving $500 month (I do it twice for 24 panels). If I couldn't do it myself, I don't think I'd spend the money. I'd rather take the $6K I am going to save per year not cleaning and add more panels
charlesj
Active Member
So I'm basically saving $500 month (I do it twice for 24 panels). If I couldn't do it myself, I don't think I'd spend the money. I'd rather take the $6K I am going to save per year not cleaning and add more panels
I dont know about @astrorob , but I only get mine done like once every year or year and 1/2 or so, when I get my windows cleaned. I dont think anyone paying for this would have it done more than a couple times a year at most, so. I think you are saving 300-400, not 6k, lol.
right. i’ve only done this twice in 5.5 years and the only reason i did it most recently was that the 2020 wildfire season dumped a ton of ash on my panels. outside of that probably every 2-3 years would be enough for my system.
Since when I do get it done, I tend to get it done june / july, for me. After whatever "rainy" season we have, which usually isnt all that much, and into "peak generation / sun" time.
Because where I live the dust builds up enough to block production by 5% after two weeks.
I did? Oh, I thought you were making a joke about how much money you were saving by cleaning your panels every 2 weeks.
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