Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: richard connett on February 22, 2022, 09:33:34 pm

Title: Lichen on solar panels
Post by: richard connett on February 22, 2022, 09:33:34 pm

Is there a worse job than this in our line of work?
I cut down a brush to to 1 cm bristles that kind of worked, still hard though. Anybody got any tips?

Title: Re: Lichen on solar panels
Post by: Slacky on February 22, 2022, 10:06:04 pm

I have fixed a scraper to a pole to deal with this but now often clean panels with a dedicated pressure washing arrangement. That deals with lichen easily and effectively.

Title: Re: Lichen on solar panels
Post by: NWH on February 22, 2022, 10:23:36 pm

Bronze wool pad on a pole detergent and hot water,try putting the detergent directly on the pad first.

Title: Re: Lichen on solar panels
Post by: Smudger on February 22, 2022, 11:34:02 pm

Like slacky - I have a purpose made scraper (12 inch wide) attach it to the SL2 with flowing water and or Hypo and it soon works through the lichen

Darran

Title: Re: Lichen on solar panels
Post by: EandM on February 23, 2022, 12:24:47 am

Lichen is killed by the biocide Benzalkonium Chloride.
I used this on the last panel installation at the recommendation of the manufacturers.
It was the only cleaner that they would guarantee was safe.
The biocide kills the algae that the Lichen lives off.
It was a spray on and leave application.
We were in a hurry so the dwell time was only a few hours.
On a domestic application, I just applied it and left it on.
Over a few months, it killed all the Lichen which was then broken down and dispersed by the elements.

Title: Re: Lichen on solar panels
Post by: richard connett on February 23, 2022, 02:16:35 pm

Cheers for the reply’s lads . Some things to try for next time .