Best Way To Clean Lichen Off Solar Panels

These panels have probably been up there for 8 years or so.

Best way to clean lichen off solar panels.

But first let s look at when and why you might need to invest in solar panel cleaning equipment or hire a professional cleaning service. I tried brushing it off from the ground with a broom but it didn t come off so i got out a ladder and climbed up and sure enough it was lichen. Clean the surface of the solar panel with a soft cloth or sponge. Google did a study on the need to clean solar panels.

It s best to approach panel cleaning the same way you might clean your car. Remember avoid damaging or scratching the glass at all costs. The only way to remove lichen as mentioned earlier is by total destruction be that removing the lichen by hand or by chemical. Dish soap and warm water applied with a soft sponge or cloth is the safest and easiest cleaning method.

Essentially in the same manner you would wash your car at home. They found that tilted panels don t require cleaning as much as flat panels. Once this is done brush off any loose dust and debris from your panels. I had to use a plastic scrapper to remove it and i noticed there was a very small amount of moss on the lip on the bottom edge of the panel.

Using just clean water and your soft brush with sponge and squeegee functions remove any stubborn grime and residue. The most effective way to clean your solar panels is with a hose and a bucket of soapy water. I highly recommend this approach. You do not have to clean the wiring underneath.

Fill a bucket or spray bottle with warm water and soap no other special equipment is needed. Because you don t want to scratch the panels in any way it s best to use just water and a non abrasive sponge to apply soapy water. If you can see the panels on a single story building then you can almost certainly spray them with a hose. Managing director of clean solar solutions steve williams provides a quick fire explanation of the effect of bird droppings and lichen pronounced li ken.

Because of the way it forms a strong bond with the glass conventional panel cleaning methods both manual and machine do not remove lichen. Follow the instructions in your solar panel manual to completely shut off the system before attempting any sort of cleaning. The safest way to clean solar panels the best way to avoid falling off a ladder or roof is to stay on the ground. Lichen makes the most of this and attaches itself into the pits in the glass.