[Smudger]

I was at the Norfolk show with the kids today - walked past one of my suppliers and he is demonstrating this - Its a gardeners pole with a gooseneck for P/W and a meter wide rolling brush...

Looks interesting..

[Pete Thompson]

"increase solar output and ROI with regular maintenance"

I don't think so.  I looked at this a while ago, and after speaking with a few customers (one of whom worked for a company that owned a huge solar farm near swindon), we concluded that the cost of cleaning was way higher than the extra revenue due to increase in output after cleaning.

So in other words, cleaning the panels costs more than it saves.

The solar farm guy said this was the reason they only ever clean the solar farm when a new buyer wants to come and look at it.

However, that was a few years ago, and energy prices have risen since then, so things may have changed now.  I'd be very interested to see any concrete data anyone has on this.

[Smudger]

Since the increase in electricity prices both domestic and commercial jobs have increased - does the cost of cleaning outweigh the improved performance - many, many sites say so..

As long as its worth my while cleaning I don't care 

I have a 600 panel field coming up - I will try to twist there arm for a "test" day 

Darran

[Splash & dash]

"increase solar output and ROI with regular maintenance"

I don't think so.  I looked at this a while ago, and after speaking with a few customers (one of whom worked for a company that owned a huge solar farm near swindon), we concluded that the cost of cleaning was way higher than the extra revenue due to increase in output after cleaning.

So in other words, cleaning the panels costs more than it saves.

The solar farm guy said this was the reason they only ever clean the solar farm when a new buyer wants to come and look at it.

However, that was a few years ago, and energy prices have risen since then, so things may have changed now.  I'd be very interested to see any concrete data anyone has on this.

Depending what the dirt is and how much of it there is cleaning  the panels can make a huge difference on output and will easily more than pay  for cleaning costs , we used to clean tens of thousands of panels for one of the largest  solar manufacturing companies in the country , and they saw up to 35% increase in output having the panels cleaned every six months . We  do this small 250kw  array every 6 months and they regularly get 25% more output after a clean

[DJW]

Looks like a specific pole for the job running off a Kranzle K7 pressure washer in the pic.
Surprised it has enough flow to rotate the brush.
Wouldn’t think there would be much change from 2K for what’s in the picture?

[Smudger]

its a specific Gardiner pole - but can run off any p/w - 7 to9 LPM

Apparently you can attach it to a standard SLX

Darran

[ISCA]

These systems are called in the industry 'rotating brush systems'.  Some are vertical systems as seen in the picture.  Others are horizontal.  Some are water-driven to spin the brush and others spin via electric motors.  They are a good mid-entry cost point into solar cleaning as you can clean more per hour with one of these than with WFP.

Cost vs benefit is site-specific.  Some sites see huge uplifts in power output from solar panel cleaning.  Others less so.  But all panels need to be cleaned in order to maintain the terms of the warranty.

 

[Slacky]

Won't touch lichen, I bet.

[Slacky]

Id be interested to see someone using that where the panels are 35' distance. A slight breeze and you can wish it all goodbye.

[Smudger]

Agree with you about the lichen slacky

Welcome back Steve  😜

[Ggh]

Got four of these, they’ve been around for years!

[Ggh]

Rubbish on lichen, great on poultry sheds.

Ksolara do some interesting stuff too.

[windowswashed]

That rotating brush looks heavy, making me feel tired  just looking at it 

[Smudger]

He claimed it was 3KG - I think that maybe a fib

Darran

[Ggh]

They’re not heavy. However, they do snap pole sections if you over extend, or try and lift over a gap in the panels. You must also be square on to clean the panels, which can be a hassle.

[ISCA]

These would be our rotating brush of choice right now: https://www.jracenstein.com/p/double-brush-25in-wide-24v-electric-cleaning-kit-for-solar/159-205