I use a Windex outdoor cleaner , you get your panels wet, then switchover to the Windex solution after you let it soak for about 30 sec's then switch back over to water only , they will be clean and no streaks . very simple and you don't have to get on your roof .
I agree with those that discourage the use of soap for the reasons cited. I use a foam squeegee as it has about an inch of foam between the edge touching the panels and the metal frame of the squeegee itself, thereby greatly reducing the chance of scratching the panels. It is as effective as a normal squeegee. I bought it years ago but think it was marketed as a "floor" squeegee. Lastly not sure what time of day it was in the video but appears the sun was up, should always perform the cleaning when panels are cold!!
I completely agree with the time of day - as stated in description. This was done early in the day when temps were cool - you can tell by the long shadows. I agree soft is key. Mild dish soap is not abrasive. The solar community is mixed on that concept of cleaning agents. There are many manufacturers selling solar panel specific soap for the job. Clearly there are different manufacturers of panels as well and they may or may not have coatings on the glass. Ultimately you must decide what is best in your situation. Do you have hard water? Is there tree sap falling on your panels? Dust or sand? Salt spray buildup from the ocean? This video shows one way. Do what is best for you. Do it with safety in mind. Be well!
Do not us soap. That is a NO NO. Soap will cause reflection of light and less performance. It also could make the panel sticky for dust if soap is not removed 100%. Water or purified water without minerals works best for no mineral spotting. Vinegar and water mix works very good. Vinegar has a natural PH that will break down the dirt and minerals with less water spots. No soap of any kind. And try not to walk on the wet part of the roof it can be as slippery as ice.
no reason for this, unless you have some horrifically cheap Chinese panels. soap will NOT harm a panel surface, nor with any window cleaner. abrasives will, leaving streaks is the only risk from mild detergents (liquid soap), and if you squeegee them off properly, no streaks anyway.
@@fredpacemaker6800 yea, it's standard advice from everywhere, but I've had a 250w panel I've been using for years on a small battery system, and cleaned it countless time with dish soap and there is not a spot of damage, marking or scuffing from using a kitchen sponge. scratching happens from using the wrong tools or abrasives like sugar soap.
@@MrSummitville someone who clearly has zero idea. other than smears which will effect the panels in zero way, soap poses zero risk to panel surfaces. this sounds more like a scam to sell magical cleaning products.
Amazing what a few years can do for efficiency - these cost more than the 260watt panels that were so common at the time, but the difference in price didn't matter because I needed less panels with these. Now I see there are mach more efficient models available. Buy the best you can at the time... so many reasons why. Loving these LG's!
The squeegee is more powerful than gravity on the helpless soap bubbles. They didn’t have a chance. We are cleaning solar panels, not windows. I wasn’t worried about which way the wipe occurred. Would you have done it differently? If so, how? My safest spot was above the panels. Sometimes you do what works.
robdude1969 ah i didnt see that, i wash them from the top, and squeegeed from the bottom of the panels towards me to let gravity work with you. But i have the space.... But if its not safe then fair enough. Great end result...which is all that matters.
I use a Windex outdoor cleaner , you get your panels wet, then switchover to the Windex solution after you let it soak for about 30 sec's then switch back over to water only , they will be clean and no streaks . very simple and you don't have to get on your roof .
If you do it in full sunlight, the soap will dry on the panels before you can rinse it off. Its h-o-t-t-t here in Central California!
Correct. Do it early when it’s cool.
I do mine before 9am in the Arizona desert.
I agree with those that discourage the use of soap for the reasons cited. I use a foam squeegee as it has about an inch of foam between the edge touching the panels and the metal frame of the squeegee itself, thereby greatly reducing the chance of scratching the panels. It is as effective as a normal squeegee. I bought it years ago but think it was marketed as a "floor" squeegee. Lastly not sure what time of day it was in the video but appears the sun was up, should always perform the cleaning when panels are cold!!
I completely agree with the time of day - as stated in description. This was done early in the day when temps were cool - you can tell by the long shadows. I agree soft is key. Mild dish soap is not abrasive. The solar community is mixed on that concept of cleaning agents. There are many manufacturers selling solar panel specific soap for the job. Clearly there are different manufacturers of panels as well and they may or may not have coatings on the glass. Ultimately you must decide what is best in your situation. Do you have hard water? Is there tree sap falling on your panels? Dust or sand? Salt spray buildup from the ocean? This video shows one way. Do what is best for you. Do it with safety in mind. Be well!
1:55 - quick reminder, gravity causes water to flow downhill.
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My thoughts exactly!!
I do pretty much to same. Mine need it about once a month here in Central Valley farm area. Production goes way up.
Do not us soap. That is a NO NO. Soap will cause reflection of light and less performance. It also could make the panel sticky for dust if soap is not removed 100%. Water or purified water without minerals works best for no mineral spotting. Vinegar and water mix works very good. Vinegar has a natural PH that will break down the dirt and minerals with less water spots. No soap of any kind. And try not to walk on the wet part of the roof it can be as slippery as ice.
Thanks for your advice.
Me:Dumps water to the solar pannels
Dude: scrubs
Dude: scrubs
Me: gently massages the surface smooth. lovingly applies caressing hydration shower.
I have been informed on several occasions to always use water only....No soaps or cleaners.
no reason for this, unless you have some horrifically cheap Chinese panels.
soap will NOT harm a panel surface, nor with any window cleaner.
abrasives will, leaving streaks is the only risk from mild detergents (liquid soap), and if you squeegee them off properly, no streaks anyway.
Okie dokie.......I have a RoadTrek, don't know if they are cheap panels or not.....I only said " I have been informed." Don't use soap on panels.
@@fredpacemaker6800 yea, it's standard advice from everywhere, but I've had a 250w panel I've been using for years on a small battery system, and cleaned it countless time with dish soap and there is not a spot of damage, marking or scuffing from using a kitchen sponge.
scratching happens from using the wrong tools or abrasives like sugar soap.
@John Doe. You have been "informed" by WHOM? And exactly WHY can't you use a mild soap?
@@MrSummitville someone who clearly has zero idea.
other than smears which will effect the panels in zero way, soap poses zero risk to panel surfaces.
this sounds more like a scam to sell magical cleaning products.
Nice , Can go for this also @
always start scrobing top to bottom same as squeezing brother. good Idea anyways
I use pure water wash to clean the panels it's very effective.
Also no soap ending up in the water tank.
Is there any risk of electricity hazards spraying off the soap?
Most panels are guaranteed for 25 years in the sun and rain. A little dish soap won’t hurt.
Power production difference?
It all depends upon how dirty the panels were ...
good work
Thank you!
How often do you clean the panels?
With Avasva plans doing something like that was easy.
Nice LG NEON2s
Amazing what a few years can do for efficiency - these cost more than the 260watt panels that were so common at the time, but the difference in price didn't matter because I needed less panels with these. Now I see there are mach more efficient models available. Buy the best you can at the time... so many reasons why. Loving these LG's!
Who squeegees upwards....
The squeegee is more powerful than gravity on the helpless soap bubbles. They didn’t have a chance. We are cleaning solar panels, not windows. I wasn’t worried about which way the wipe occurred. Would you have done it differently? If so, how? My safest spot was above the panels. Sometimes you do what works.
robdude1969 ah i didnt see that, i wash them from the top, and squeegeed from the bottom of the panels towards me to let gravity work with you. But i have the space.... But if its not safe then fair enough. Great end result...which is all that matters.
Do you guys shut off the system before washing panels?
Do you shut off the system when it rains? I can't foresee an issue unless the rats have been chewing on your wires.
What's so easy about this?
What's so hard about this?
This is actually what NOT to do. USE PURE WATER. Thats it. No squeegee. Water and brush...that is all.
What do you mean by pure water? Sorry I just don't know.
Must have autism, never seen anyone squeegee against gravity. My son is the same, he can’t tie his shoelaces at 21.
Buy him sandals. You're welcome.
everything here is the opposite of what i've heard
Becareful is very dangerous 😳
Don't do this
I don’t like this way at all!
Very stupid using soap for module panels cleaning
Trần Phi Tứ why? Soap was recommended by manufacturer. I suppose your panels may not be glass?
I did it quickly and efficiently with instructions from Avasva.