Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: formb on July 16, 2013, 01:56:47 pm

Title: Solar Panels
Post by: formb on July 16, 2013, 01:56:47 pm
After some advice....


I was out cutting the grass on Sunday when my neighbour came out and asked if I'd clean his solar panels for him. 'yeah no problem' I heard myself say before I had time to think about it. I have not cleaned solar panels before, God knows why I agreed? Trying to be neighbourly? Doubt it. Just wanted rid of him I suppose.

Am I safe enough to just rock up and clean them with a standard (facelift) WFP pole? Is there anything I need to watch out for?

Many thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: tlwcs on July 16, 2013, 03:15:05 pm
Hey Soapy,
I dont know for sure but they only clean if you use Gardiner equipment on them.
Tony
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Michael Peterson on July 16, 2013, 03:27:57 pm
yeah esy to clean probably need a 40 ft pole though wouldnt like using a heavy facelift
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: formb on July 16, 2013, 03:42:24 pm
Quote from: Michael Peterson
yeah esy to clean probably need a 40 ft pole though wouldnt like using a heavy facelift

It's a carbon fibre jobbie, 60ft, and the house is only a 1 1/4 storey affair. More worried about the actual panels, I've done millions (billions even) of velux windows at the same level without issue.
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: roundbuilder on July 16, 2013, 03:51:54 pm
I dont know why all the fuss with cleaning solar panels! I have been doing customers pannels for years, it realy is no big deal...just get your pole up there and clean as you would a window.srub and rince. Job done.
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: formb on July 16, 2013, 03:57:27 pm
Quote from: mick kent
I dont know why all the fuss with cleaning solar panels! I have been doing customers pannels for years, it realy is no big deal...just get your pole up there and clean as you would a window.srub and rince. Job done.

That's me told then.

Get on with it and stop being a bell end.  ;D
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: dazmond on July 16, 2013, 04:12:23 pm
i clean a fair few of my regular customers solar panels.no problem.just treat them the same as velux windows.i use an extreme 47 with 90 degree carbon gooseneck and DT medium mixed standard brush.


regards



dazmond
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: roundbuilder on July 16, 2013, 04:25:42 pm
Quote from: mick kent
I dont know why all the fuss with cleaning solar panels! I have been doing customers pannels for years, it realy is no big deal...just get your pole up there and clean as you would a window.srub and rince. Job done.

That's me told then.

Get on with it and stop being a bell end.  ;D

Lol i didnt mean to sound harsh.  ;D
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: 8weekly on July 16, 2013, 05:52:37 pm
Solar Steve is your man. Pass his details to your neighbour, then you can subby it for 50p from him.
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: p1w1 on July 16, 2013, 07:25:10 pm
Solar Steve is your man. Pass his details to your neighbour, then you can subby it for 50p from him.
;D ;D
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: telfordwindowclnr on July 16, 2013, 11:31:33 pm
Solar Steve is your man. Pass his details to your neighbour, then you can subby it for 50p from him.
Not sure if I am detecting flippancy or jealousy here.... ;)
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 16, 2013, 11:59:39 pm
Carbon, electricity and water do not mix,
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: formb on July 20, 2013, 11:45:39 am
Cleaned them today. Doddle. Thanks for the advice.
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: 8weekly on July 20, 2013, 01:22:05 pm
Solar Steve is your man. Pass his details to your neighbour, then you can subby it for 50p from him.
Not sure if I am detecting flippancy or jealousy here.... ;)
Definitely not jealousy.
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Bryan_Dolby on July 20, 2013, 02:51:48 pm
Hi

Just remember to ask your insurance brocker if you are covered?

Bryan
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on July 20, 2013, 04:11:31 pm
Cleaned them today. Doddle. Thanks for the advice.

You didnt get electrocuted then?
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 20, 2013, 04:37:47 pm
Only a matter of time, before we get a big bang
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: formb on July 20, 2013, 04:54:32 pm
No. I spoke to a solar panel installer. He told me that there is NO WAY I could be electrocuted, they are designed to be outside in the elements. To damage them with a brush is nigh on impossible, he reckons you could walk on them without any problem. He didn't recommend I try that though.
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: dave0123 on July 20, 2013, 06:12:41 pm
Quote
You didnt get electrocuted then?

Surely the rain soaks them just as much on a heavy down poor? so cleaning them is just the same as that isnt it. or am i missing something
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 20, 2013, 08:33:08 pm
Soapy

Its not the panels that are the problem its the cables, if they get a split in them which can happen and water and carbon are perfect conductors of electricity
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: 8weekly on July 20, 2013, 08:35:29 pm
Soapy

Its not the panels that are the problem its the cables, if they get a split in them which can happen and water and carbon are perfect conductors of electricity
That seems a very theoretical risk. Has anyone ever been injured this way?
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: p1w1 on July 20, 2013, 08:37:56 pm
what if they where installed badly your mates theory is based on them being installed correctly might be rare it could happen but it only takes the once, theres cowboys in all trades
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 20, 2013, 09:20:34 pm
My friend from Cornwall Solar panels is writing an article for a trade magazine, I will let you know when it is ready
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: andyM on July 20, 2013, 09:26:28 pm
Soapy

Its not the panels that are the problem its the cables, if they get a split in them which can happen and water and carbon are perfect conductors of electricity

Pure water is a poor conductor.
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 20, 2013, 09:55:33 pm
Andy, it isn't pure for long when it leaves your hose
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: andyM on July 20, 2013, 10:06:45 pm
It's good enough to clean the insulators of a 500,000 volt power line.  ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcjhjna9jZE
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 20, 2013, 10:26:29 pm
Andy

Amazing footage
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: niceandclean on July 20, 2013, 10:29:29 pm
It's good enough to clean the insulators of a 500,000 volt power line.  ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcjhjna9jZE

Really interesting that, nice post!

 ;D
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: andyM on July 20, 2013, 10:31:46 pm
There's another video out there somewhere with someone pressure washing high voltage cables with pure water while still live as routine maintenance at a electricity sub-station.  :o
I can't seem to find it though.  
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: Moderator David@stives on July 20, 2013, 10:35:59 pm
Heres one for the Working at height regs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPvCuc1_mgM
Title: Re: Solar Panels
Post by: niceandclean on July 20, 2013, 10:48:27 pm
Heres one for the Working at height regs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPvCuc1_mgM

No thank you!!!!  :o