[bwoofie]

Hi, Ive been doing a bit of research regarding cleaning solar panels (add on to wfp cleaning)
Got some info from a guy fitting panels yesterday, he said:
1. Panels are fitted with pilkington self cleaning glass
2. There is a risk of electric shock if the panels are damaged, cracked,not earthed properly, current produced by these panels is D.C current which grabs you as opposed to A.C current which throws you away.
3. How can you tell if panels are damaged when WFP from the ground?
4. Probably have to wear rubber gloves, boots etc
5. Even fitters have to wear protective gear when fitting panels as they start producing juice straight away.
6. your standard public liability probably wont cover solar cleaning

Im a little confused here, I can understand what he told me, but how come ive seen wfp'ers cleaning panels on youtube etc without protective gear??
Can anyone shed any light on this matter or add any advice?
Thanks guys.

[mikecam]

Pure water isn't conductive is it?

[Richard Neal]

Pure water isn't conductive is it?

It wont be pure as it mixes with the dirt on the tubes,

id rather stick with cleaning  windows!

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

Pure water isn't conductive is it?

You have to be joking, right?

[Seymour Sunshine]

Pure water isn't conductive is it?

You have to be joking, right?

He's right. Pure water isn't conductive because there aren't any ions in the water - and it's ions that conduct electricity. (We use DI water = de-ionised water)

BUT ... the whole point of wfp is that the pure water dissolves some of the dust and thus becomes impure - as Richard Neal said - and conductive.

mikecam 1, Wimpoclean 0.

Incidentally, that's how your tds meter works. It measures the conductivity of the water and converts it to a scale of tds.

[bad trippy]

Just clean the bloody things, if it graps ya , then pull ur pole away from the panel, simples

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

Pure water isn't conductive is it?

You have to be joking, right?

He's right. Pure water isn't conductive because there aren't any ions in the water - and it's ions that conduct electricity. (We use DI water = de-ionised water)

BUT ... the whole point of wfp is that the pure water dissolves some of the dust and thus becomes impure - as Richard Neal said - and conductive.

mikecam 1, Wimpoclean 0.

Incidentally, that's how your tds meter works. It measures the conductivity of the water and converts it to a scale of tds.

Our TDS meters read only in PPM, what about PPB? are you going to try it? fill your bath, sit in it, then drop an electric heater in with you! : :

Even the salts from your body is enough to contaminate the water enough to conduct!

If there is a risk of electrocution, then your "pure" water WILL conduct. Be sensible.

[groundhog]

Just clean the bloody things, if it graps ya , then pull ur pole away from the panel, simples

I don't think it's as easy as that mate!! 

[gto]

no you wont get shocked.
only once the panels are wired in series does the voltage gets high.

[mikecam]

I've since had a little google about cleaning solar panels. Many manufacturers do recommend to clean with a sponge and hose !! This would be fine assuming there is no damage to the panel. Using the WFP method the pure water flowing through your hose and pole would avoid any transmission of current that way, even if the water on contact with the panel became contaminated, as it would do if the panel was dirty. The fact remains its still pure water flowing through your pole. The only other possible transmission of electricity would be through your pole itself if it was carbon and if it touched the broken panel. Wearing rubber gloves would indeed negate any adverse effects from such a scenario. So it realy is that simple, even in the worst case scenario rubber gloves would indeed keep you safe.

[Nick Wareham]

and dont forget, most carbon poles have glass fibre bottom sections, which dont conduct.

I dont think theres much of a risk.