Solar Panel Cleaning.

[WelshGas]

I’ve noticed over the past few weeks, with the sunny weather we have been having, that my 100w Solar Panel was not giving the output I was used to. It’s been on the vehicle for 4+ years and 87,000 miles and I thought it might be failing due to vibration and general wear and tear as the vehicle is kept outside in all weathers.
It is regularly cleaned , as is the roof, with water and a wax car shampoo using a long handled very soft brush and then hosed down but not dried.
Anyway, close examination showed a very dull surface with a slight yellowish tinge that could be scratched with a fingernail. Ahh, I thought, I wonder if this is a build up of traffic film + the wax from the car shampoo.
Using T Cut, with a damp microfibre cloth and gentle pressure I cleaned the whole panel. What a difference. The yellow film was gone and the panel surround was now silver rather than a dull, yellow colour.
Finally I used a clear liquid polish and even though today is dull the Panel Output has improved significantly. I’ll wait for a really sunny day but it looks like the panel might go on for a few years yet.

So if your panel is losing performance give it a good clean. I don’t know if there are any special products to use for panels, something I need to look into.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

To resurrect this old post if I may, did you find out if there were any specific cleaning products for solar panels?

I've given mine a quick clean and was amazed at the dirt that came off them. I think the limescale in the water also affects the performance when it's dried. Like the idea of T-Cut but isn't that abrasive, I'd be worried about it scratching the surface?

 

[yossarian]

Welshgas' panel was etfe coated as far as I know so a little fine abrasion was not a problem. Anything that does not make the surface reflect light (usable on a clearcoat) should be fine.

 

[WelshGas]

To resurrect this old post if I may, did you find out if there were any specific cleaning products for solar panels?

I've given mine a quick clean and was amazed at the dirt that came off them. I think the limescale in the water also affects the performance when it's dried. Like the idea of T-Cut but isn't that abrasive, I'd be worried about it scratching the surface?

During my research just soap and water. I had been using car shampoo , wash & wax, and it was probably the wax element didn't help . Now I just use water with a squirt of Fairy liquid for the panel and rinse well. The panel has just failed after 9+ years. I would have replaced like for like but did a cheaper replacement as I will be upgrading to the New California once the UK order book opens.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

During my research just soap and water. I had been using car shampoo , wash & wax, and it was probably the wax element didn't help . Now I just use water with a squirt of Fairy liquid for the panel and rinse well. The panel has just failed after 9+ years. I would have replaced like for like but did a cheaper replacement as I will be upgrading to the New California once the UK order book opens.

Thanks, it'll be interesting to see how much you will need your solar panel(s) in the new T7. There seems to have been a quantum leap in efficiency & power management technology over the past few years!

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks, it'll be interesting to see how much you will need your solar panel(s) in the new T7. There seems to have been a quantum leap in efficiency & power management technology over the past few years!

If the reports are accurate 2 x 40ah leisure batteries so Solar might still be required for off EHU extended stays.

 

[yossarian]

Thanks, it'll be interesting to see how much you will need your solar panel(s) in the new T7. There seems to have been a quantum leap in efficiency & power management technology over the past few years!

Energy is still the same as at the big bang. The T7, as advertised, is pretty poorly designed from this perspective.

One would expect to be able to use the stored energy for whatever purposes you desire. One would expect that the vapour cycle machine would need available for both heating and cooling whilst parked.

The next decent camper will have a Tesla outlook on these things and will be software upgradable.

 

[Jester]

Morning, I have used this stuff since 1996 amazing stuff, it’s also recommended via the supplier of the solar panel for the GC. In 96 it cost £7.50, purchased on last year £32. Also on the GC Easley cleans the black window streaks.

Plexus Plastic Polish LAS Aerospace Ltd

www.lasaero.com

I found it recently on Amazon, but for some reason they don’t sell it via Amazon and found the address and contact number from Amazon.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Morning, I have used this stuff since 1996 amazing stuff, it’s also recommended via the supplier of the solar panel for the GC. In 96 it cost £7.50, purchased on last year £32. Also on the GC Easley cleans the black window streaks.

Plexus Plastic Polish LAS Aerospace Ltd

www.lasaero.com

I found it recently on Amazon, but for some reason they don’t sell it via Amazon and found the address and contact number from Amazon.

That's really helpful many thanks, can these be used on both flexible and rigid solar panels? I've Victron rigid ones so hoping I could use the polish on them?

 

[Jester]

That's really helpful many thanks, can these be used on both flexible and rigid solar panels? I've Victron rigid ones so hoping I could use the polish on them?

Hi Barry can’t see why not as recommended for the flexible one on the GC. Plexus so I believe was originally formulated for cleaning F16 cockpit covers. You won’t be disappointed. Don’t polish in the sun.

 

[Barry Chuckle]

Hi Barry can’t see why not as recommended for the flexible one on the GC. Plexus so I believe was originally formulated for cleaning F16 cockpit covers. You won’t be disappointed. Don’t polish in the sun.

Thank you ever so much Jester just what I need! the guidance I've seen via the Victron site just says they recommend using 'drinking quality water and soft broom' to keep the panels clean

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

We used to use autosol chrome polish on Chinook plexi glass cockpits, same job fraction of cost