Keeping your solar panels clean?

[Bbasso]

Other than the traditional way, glass cleaner and rags... how do you guys n gals keep the panels clean?

This weekend, weather permitting I hope to be installing my new renogy 100 watt solar panel.
I prefer not not climb on top of my high top van frequently so I was wondering if I could apply several coats of rain X before installing.

What does everyone think?
Maybe some suggestions?

 

[doug720]

I have 6 panels flat mounted on the roof of a class A RV. In my experience, no matter what you treat the panels with, dust and debris will settle on the flat surface. The only way I have found to clean them is wash them with water or glass cleaner and rags.

But, the good news, even with a layer of dust, it seems to have minimal effect on the panels output. If we are heading out for an extended trip, I wash the panels when I wash the RV. If dirty, no big deal.

Keep in mind I have 600 watts of panels charging 8 6volt batteries, so your results may vary, but the difference between clean and dirty panels on our RV is much less than the difference in output from the angle of the sun and shadows from trees, etc.

 

[Hilldweller]

Find out from Renogy what the panel is made of. RainX has solvents in it ---- crazes plastic.
There are nano-tech products that are much better than RainX anyhow. I use Aquapel on my glass: http://www.aquapel.com/Aquapel-Combo-Pack.php
Wax might be an alternative for you too.

I just use a moist microfiber towel on my panels though...

 

[calicamper]

My wife insisted that we outsource more of our chores so we can enjoy our limited vacation time.
So I hire panel cleaners. My solar panels are the cleanest in the country.

Now my wife complains that I never leave my chair and am always watching the solar panels.

I highly recommend it!
http://www.sub5zero.com/20-hottest-celebrity-bikini-car-wash-photos/

 

[unseenone]

Car wash, spot free rinse, don't use full force on them.. Good info here so far.

 

[greenbull]

Other than the traditional way, glass cleaner and rags... how do you guys n gals keep the panels clean?

This weekend, weather permitting I hope to be installing my new renogy 100 watt solar panel.
I prefer not not climb on top of my high top van frequently so I was wondering if I could apply several coats of rain X before installing.

What does everyone think?
Maybe some suggestions?

Keep me posted on your results. I too have a new 100 watt renology I am mounting soon to the frontrunner RR on my RR Classic...

 

[Bbasso]

I've decided not to put anything on it. I'll just wipe it off from time to time, I don't think it's going to get to to dirty...

 

[CaliMobber]

I've decided not to put anything on it. I'll just wipe it off from time to time, I don't think it's going to get to to dirty...

Yea its not anything worth worrying about. every so often I just grab a micofiber towel from my car and give them a wipe but most of the time they go ignored and seem to be fine.

 

[unseenone]

Rain-X is not a good thing to install on the plastic thin panels, as pointed out. Ask me how I know....