The Challenge For Solar Owners
Solar panel performance can degrade by 20% to 30%+ without adequate cleaning. To maintain optimal energy production, solar arrays require periodic solar panel cleanings especially in areas of high airborne particulates (dust, exhaust, coastal salts, organic debris, industrial processes).
Solution:
Solar panel cleaning has become a critical industry best practice and often offers a simple and cost effective method to increase rate of return by 20% or more.
An example of our work:
A well known Adelaide solar panel installation company asked us to clean some solar panels they installed on a client’s property 3 years earlier. Their client was located in an industrial area and there was an over representation of dust and other industrial airborne particles in the air and on all surfaces in the area. Over the years since the solar panels were installed, a small amount of build up on the solar panels had reduced the efficiency of the unit. After the client noticed an increase in their utility bills they contacted the company that installed the solar panels. That company called Cinderellas to clean the panels. After we had cleaned the panels, the system increased output by 22%. Their client was super happy!
Cinderellas Solar Panel Cleaning System & Method
A typical solar panel cleaning service includes the following.
- Inspect site prior to work being performed. Note any hazardous conditions.
- Cover all electrical equipment, i.e. inverters and combiner boxes, beneath area to be cleaned with tarps prior to cleaning.
- Use of cherry picker where required to reach surface of solar modules to be cleaned.
- No chemicals or abrasive cleaning are applied to solar modules during the cleaning process.
- Surface of solar modules to be visually inspected prior to cleaning. All accumulated debris to be removed from array surface.
- Spray down all solar modules with water at minimal pressure. (No high pressure washers are to be used.)
- Water to be conditioned through water softener prior to application. This is done to minimize mineral deposit.
- In heavy soil situations a soft bristle automotive style brush to be used to break free accumulated soil on surface of solar modules. Brushes are designed to avoid causing micro fractures or scratches on surface of solar modules.
Solar panel cleaning is critical to maintaining solar system performance.