Cleaning Under Solar Panels ...

[icantremember]

I always find it a problem to thoroughly clean all the gunge from the moho roof under the solar panels.

So, would be interested to know what brushes or sponges, preferably with long flexible handles, other Funsters use without doing any damage to cables or connectors under the panel.

 

[tonyidle]

I leave mine well alone. You never know when a new life form will emerge.

 

[Stealaway]

Why would you? Hardly any one sees the roof, never mind under the panels.

 

[Rapido924f]

Leave mine well alone also. It has worked for coming on 9 years and wonder if connectors etc are maybe getting a little fragile to disturb. However if someone has found a good way I would be interested.

 

[Forestboy]

Clean my roof twice a year but only wash under the solar panels with the hose to remove any loose stuff too much chance of me damaging something if I start shoving poles and brushes in there.

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[cornish boy]

I always find it a problem to thoroughly clean all the gunge from the moho roof under the solar panels.

So, would be interested to know what brushes or sponges, preferably with long flexible handles, other Funsters use without doing any damage to cables or connectors under the panel.

Fairly stiff bristles so needs using with care.

 

[eddie]

I sit in the garden with a cold beer

That seem's to sort the problem out

 

[Tykatem]

Long Reach Flexible Radiator Heater Heating Bristle Brush Dust Cleaning Cleaner. Only £2.75 inc p&p

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Long-Reac...904264?hash=item1a26035cc8:g:dIcAAOSw4CFYpz5H

Pete

 

[pappajohn]

If you avoid the electrical joint box and cable tails there's nothing under there to damage, everything is fully sealed, top and bottom.
If it wasn't it would short out every time it rained.

 

[Lenny HB]

A bit of wood with a micro fibre cloth wrapped around it or if being really good I take the panels off, easy as I used expensive removable brackets.

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[icantremember]

Why would you? Hardly any one sees the roof, never mind under the panels.

... because the green algae builds-up under there and causes black streaks down the sides of the moho.

 

[ivorantony]

that's why i have the flexible type bonded to the roof, clean the roof and panels at the same time, win win! imo

 

[Minxy]

If you want something a bit less 'scratchy' you could get one of these:

 

[rb62]

but I make sure she's not watching

 

[FJmike]

Why would you? Hardly any one sees the roof, never mind under the panels.

So you don't also see the black/green streaks down the side of your van

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[Stealaway]

So you don't also see the black/green streaks down the side of your van

Nope not on my van - there is no algae under my panels and the black is generally from the filthy rain that falls on it through the winter - I assume.

I can see the roof of my van from my bedroom and the roof is quite clean at the moment, although I will clean it annually.

Still get black streaks down the side it leaning to though.

 

[Lenny HB]

My last van had the standard aluminium roof always gaily clean under the panels and no green algae at all.
Current van has anti hail GRP capping panels and gets really bad algae under the panels.

 

[jdk62]

Why?....

 

[Lenny HB]

How should I know algae must like GRP.

 

[jdk62]

How should I know algae must like GRP.

No... why bother cleaning underneath. Topside I get (for obvious reasons) but underneath?

More to life than that

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[icantremember]

No... why bother cleaning underneath. Topside I get (for obvious reasons) but underneath?

More to life than that

I have more respect for my investment.

 

[FJmike]

I use something similar to Minxy Girl's link, but can still struggle to get some roofs clean. Rapido roofs are some of the worse as the textured surface retains the dirt. I don't think algae does any harm apart from being unsightly when washed out.

 

[Jagtazman]

I use something similar to Minxy Girl's link, but can still struggle to get some roofs clean. Rapido roofs are some of the worse as the textured surface retains the dirt. I don't think algae does any harm apart from being unsightly when washed out.

Not just mine then. Our Rapido is a bugger to keep clean just had her out this weekend. Not washed her since October
Hoping weather ok next week so can get her clean again.

 

[Feltwell]

Someone fitted the solar panel to my van just where the water naturally ponds, so it gets extremely skanky under there. Leave it too long and it runs down the side of the van. Hi-tech top quality cleaning kit is a thin bit of wood with a kitchen washing up sponge attached to the end with a staple gun. Works a treat, the staples are buried into the foam so don't cause any damage.

 

[Lenny HB]

I use something similar to Minxy Girl's link, but can still struggle to get some roofs clean. Rapido roofs are some of the worse as the textured surface retains the dirt. I don't think algae does any harm apart from being unsightly when washed out.

The GRP panels on our roof are slightly textured I think the dirt must get in the grain then the algae starts to grow on it.

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[FJmike]

Once you have got the underneath of your solar panel clean, to help keep it that way squit an aquawax (demon shine, Bobby Dazzler etc.) On the affected area.

 

[Jamwitt]

No... why bother cleaning underneath. Topside I get (for obvious reasons) but underneath?

More to life than that

It's a bit like why we clean under the bed we just do