Tips For Cleaning Your Solar Panels | Know Your Solar | Episode 7
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ย. 2022
- Tips For Cleaning Your Solar Panels | Know Your Solar | Episode 7
So you've just had your solar installed and now you want to know how to clean them. We recommend a professional as cleaning solar panels involves a dangerous combination of slippery roof, high voltage DC electricity as well as water... BUT if you're an avid DIYer, you'll want to watch this video where Mark explains (demonstrates) all the costly mistakes you'll want to avoid when you're attempting to clean your solar panels yourself.
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🌐 www.mcelectrical.com.au
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We've got lots of other videos in this "Know Your Solar" series. So immerse yourself in our other videos and you'll come out an expert in your solar system.
Featuring: Mark Cavanagh
Editing & FX: Elliot Moss - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
I've had my panels since 2008 and have cleaned them about 4 times. They're still working perfectly. Best investment I've ever made.
Nice. People often ask how long solar panels last. Having early tech last 15 years says something!
Why we should not use high pressure washer
How do you clean them? What temperature should water be? When is the best time?
@@coryfields482 Just a hose and a mop. Best done after a long dry spell, as rain naturally cleans them.
You don't need to turn it off. If you're concerned about water and solar panels, then you better hope it never rains, where a lot more water hits the panels at once for a longer period of time. Wires in in conduit and connectors are water sealed. Hosing them down in the early morning or evening is fine
most likely a safety disclaimer. As a professional you see people doing all sorts of questionable things. Turning it off just reduces risk.
just like the tag on a hair dryer stating dont use in water LOL@@Richkill
Aussies. Obsessed to the point of hysteria wrt safety.
What temperature should water be?
Thanks for the video. In case where o need to disconnect the panels to remove it, do I have to turn of the isolator that's on the roof?
Yes, but that’s really a service isolator. I’d advise you don’t touch the panels on the roof yourself - leave it for an electrician.
Hi Mark, thank you for the video, any cleaning product from bunnings will do or just water and a soft broom?
Most manufacturers say not to use chemicals. You could use simple soap if you felt the need, but water should do.
Cheers for this! About cleaning nests and things between the panels and the roof: Do we need to be especially careful about not scratching the back of the panels? Not catching the wiring is pretty obvious, but how robust are they? Are there any products that can be installed to stop birds getting under the panels to nest?
Hi, yes there is bird proofing easily bough on line. and yes the back sheet of the panel can be scratched with a sharp wire or similar, so be relatively carful!
I mean, even if you’ve turned off the inverter, the panels are still live. So 🤔 what’s the point
Grate video mate but I have one question what's the point of turning the system off if the wires will remain live any way.
Thanks
Fair question. It’s probably not going to help in most cases. But, let’s say for example you disturb a cable and create an earth fault. If the inverter is off, you won’t do any harm to it. When the inverter is in starts up mode, it test for an earth fault before turning on.
Hi Mark,
I have a fronius inverter system installed by your company. The digital readout has condensation an the numbers are not visible. Is this issue covered under warranty? It was installed in July 2020.
Thanks.
Hi MegaPixie, yes that would most likely be covered under warranty. I don't remember seeing that happen before.Give us a call and ask for Shane and he'll book it in.
@@mcelectrical
OK I will.
Thanks.
what about pine sap on the panels??? I just had solar installed on my property here in New England and it is in front of some 60 foot pines and the sap along with a few needles ar already starting to pile on so was wondering what to do because i can see this will be a problem down the road
Hmm, that sounds a bit harsh. Unsure on that one. It’s definitely worse to have sap shading a panel than it is to have a few scratches on your panel.
Tree sap can be removed with hand sanitiser, at least that's one way I do it on cars. Just a small drop on each bit and give it a minute to soak in. The alcohol in it makes it soft and you can easily remove it with a microfibre cloth. Should work the same on solar panels.
Can i use 450psi ryobi pressure cleaner? Battery powered
I’d suggest don’t use anything much stronger than a garden hose and a soft broom.
Waterfed pole with a solar radious brush and a di tank, that's it. Rinse and scrub side to side going down, then scrub up and down coming back. Follow by a final rinse is all that is needed.
Why are you walking on panels, this causes micro cracking and overheating?
Yes, that’s what I point out in the video. Don’t use a pressure washer either.
@@mcelectrical Ah got you, my apologies
Step 1: Stop calling them panels. Solar panels heat water, solar modules create electricity. 🤣
The manufacturer of the best panel on the market disagrees with you. From their homepage:
Explore REC's lineup of premium solar panels, featuring the award-winning REC Alpha Series; an ideal solar panel for residential solar.
How much presure
i can clean solar panel
Just garden hose pressure to be safe.