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Weclean hand soap4/15/2023 I own an exterior cleaning service and one service we offer is solar cleaning. My name is Randy with Tiki’s SoftWash located in the Inland Empire, Southern California. If we can reduce the use of water, it’s an environmental benefit,” Cole said. “A lot of these installations are done in desert regions where the availability of water is really an issue. Cole said Solar Panel Wash is especially helpful in arid locations where dust is high and water is scarce, because the wash allows for less water to be used in cleaning. Solar Panel Wash modifies the surface tension of the water, so instead of water beading up, it will form a continuous film across the solar panels to lift dirt and debris. It’s not going to affect the groundwater.” It’s biodegradable, meaning that it’s non-persistent, making it friendly with the environment. It’s not going to affect anti-reflective films it’s not going to corrode the aluminum rails. “ is safer for the components of the panel. “We’re giving the water the capacity to lift the soil off the panel as opposed to a solvent, which is basically surrounding the dirt particle and taking it off the panel,” Cole said. The highly concentrated additive isn’t a filmy soap instead it enhances water’s ability to clean solar panels, said Charlie Cole, Polywater international VP. That’s why lubricant manufacturer Polywater released its Solar Panel Wash five years ago. Sometimes just water isn’t enough, but everyone agrees that soap should never be used. ![]() “It’s like a car getting hosed down - you still need to scrub it or use a soil-releasing mixture in order to avoid scrubbing.” “When rain happens, soil accumulates at the bottom edge of the solar panel, obstructing the lower PV cell row and hindering the production efficiency,” Struhm said. National residential and commercial O&M provider SunSystem Technology also stays away from soap and uses filtered water and a rotating brush to clean panels, but director of marketing Jeff Struhm said the company uses a mixture of diluted vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to aide in scrubbing away dirt and grime. ![]() A clean panel remains cooler, allowing the flow of electrons to move more easily.” Dirt on the surface reflects light away from the panels. “These make some of the older blue panels appear black at first glance. “The homes and factories nearest the airport and highways gather smog or oil-based pollution, which resist running off with a normal rainfall,” Fuller said. He takes pride in giving customers honest answers and showing how production will increase after panels are cleaned. Fuller also stays busy doing year-round “pigeon evictions,” cleaning underneath panels and installing critter guards to ward off birds and other animals. PSC offers a full maintenance suite, including infrared inspections to find damaged panels that need more than just a good wash. “If we used soap to clean panels, the very small molecules of soap would leave something behind for dust and dirt to build upon.” “If you have ever smelled your hands after washing them with soap, what you smell is the soap left behind, even though you cannot see any soap afterwards,” said Adam Fuller, co-founder of PSC. Premier Solar Cleaning (PSC) in Southern California also finds that using deionized water through water-fed poles and brushes works just fine to clean solar projects. “It requires less water, fewer passes and no harsh chemicals or detergents.” We’ve found that in combination with our water treatment procedure, it’s the best way to clean solar panels,” Green said. Bland also runs the customer’s water through a demineralizing and ionizing system. A rolling brush is attached to wheels that glide across the solar panels, allowing for an almost-hands-free deep clean. Rather than risk Bland employee safety or potential damage to the solar panels they’re cleaning, the company has been using Sola-Tecs brush cleaners since 2018. ![]() This is the best way to leave the solar panels with a spot-free shine that’s as beautiful as the first day they were installed.” “We use deionized water that is applied through our rotating-brush system. “Soaps can leave a film or residue that not only shades panels like the dirt that was just washed off, but it can also encourage dirt to stick and build up faster,” said Daniel Green, Bland marketing director. California-based solar installer and maintenance provider Bland Company never uses a cleaning agent on solar panels, instead relying on deionized water and a rotating-brush system to wash solar panels.
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