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CLEANCARE WC

  • Posts: 4454
How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« on: August 26, 2019, 05:22:09 pm »
Hi everyone I did a solar panel clean this morning and a tree overhangs some of the panels, these are stained by tree sap or something? can you recommend a safe cleaning agent to assist in cleaning? deionised water alone is not cutting it
WE CLEAN BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT WITH WATER FED POLE WHEN WORKING AT HEIGHT.

robbo333

  • Posts: 2407
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2019, 05:52:03 pm »
I approached this problem from a slightly different angle.

Rather than throwing chemicals at it, I got an old brush and cut the bristles down to around 25mm.

This produces a brush with far better scrubbing power (a bit like a toothbrush).  It's not a definitive answer, but definitely works better.
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Smudger

  • Posts: 13208
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2019, 05:53:08 pm »
TFR on a pad

Hypo will also do it if you feed it through a backpack

Darran
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

www.oddbodscleaning.co.uk

Ooooooog

  • Posts: 1083
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2019, 07:25:36 pm »
You’ll void the warranty if you use chemicals.

Ralphie

  • Posts: 130
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2019, 07:44:47 pm »
Remove the tree!!!!!

Smudger

  • Posts: 13208
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2019, 08:20:56 pm »
You’ll void the warranty if you use chemicals.
::)roll

Here we go, just like the hypo thread ....

Darran
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

www.oddbodscleaning.co.uk

Splash & dash

  • Posts: 4364
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2019, 08:29:20 pm »
As has been said using any chemicals will void the warranty and you could fund yourself being held responsible fir replacement costs . We use hot water and never had a problem removing anything from panels even large lickens come off with hot

Smudger

  • Posts: 13208
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2019, 10:02:54 pm »
they are glass - what, tfr or any glass cleaner is going to ruin them  ::)roll

yes they are so delicate I wouldn't use them outside where the weather might damage them

Darran
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

www.oddbodscleaning.co.uk

Splash & dash

  • Posts: 4364
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2019, 10:14:02 pm »
they are glass - what, tfr or any glass cleaner is going to ruin them  ::)roll

yes they are so delicate I wouldn't use them outside where the weather might damage them

Darran


Ime only telling you what the manufacturers say I have it in writing from when we used to do tens of thousands of panels for them , we even had regular water samples tested by them as well   . I decided to stop doing work for them last year as the profit margins were so small and the distances we were traveling made it more trouble than it was worth .

Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2019, 10:29:57 am »
I've only done a couple of low jobs where was easy to scrub and rinse with cold water system. Some had birds mess and I sprayed some diluted flash on the brush first. Can't speak for heavily deposited tree sap but I'd be inclined to turn it down unless I had hot water and was a service I was wishing to expand.

Smudger

  • Posts: 13208
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2019, 02:11:48 pm »
I get on well with a local installer - they say unless its acid you can't damage them - they even got some out and drove their 4x4 over them - not even a scratch.

some of these 'manufacturer' warranties are just their to stop people claiming against them for faulty products - as said we use tfr no probs - even pressure washed a 1000+ array with no ill effects

best advice - if your not sure you can/want to clean them DONT


Darran
A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

www.oddbodscleaning.co.uk

Splash & dash

  • Posts: 4364
Re: How to remove tree sap on solar panels?
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2019, 02:23:03 pm »
I get on well with a local installer - they say unless its acid you can't damage them - they even got some out and drove their 4x4 over them - not even a scratch.

some of these 'manufacturer' warranties are just their to stop people claiming against them for faulty products - as said we use tfr no probs - even pressure washed a 1000+ array with no ill effects

best advice - if your not sure you can/want to clean them DONT

I totally agree with what you have said ime just telling you what the manufacturer said to us and what is contained in the contract , that we had to sign when doing work for them , I did raise these issues with them and they said only pure water to be used end off
Darran