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Forum Index : Other Stuff : Solar Panel House-keeping
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raymond thomson Newbie  Joined: 19/09/2013 Location: AustraliaPosts: 36 |
I've just finished the thankless task of washing the solar panels. Ladders, hoses, roof clambering etc. A surprising amount of dirt was lifted, and thank goodness for the Enjo mop 'cos we have to be chemical free with the water tanks. But the thought occurred to me that maybe I am kidding myself and every 6-8 months isn't worth it. Has anyone given it some thought and possibly measured the losses due to dirt? I'd be interested to hear. Raymond |
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norcold Guru  Joined: 06/02/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 670 |
Not bothered here in NQ, the wet washes the dust off. Perhaps that is a complacent attitude but seems to work no drama. Often test( monthly or so) each bank of panels by switching off each separately, have not noticed any deterioration. They just do their job day in day out. We come from the land downunder. Vic |
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Downwind Guru Joined: 09/09/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2333 |
I was told you can employ a window wash service to do the job, and claim it on tax. From what i was told, because its a elevated surface, and a fixed asset on your home it was not expected for the home user to self clean their panels, and hence deductable. I was lead to understand a twice year cleaning was excepted. Pete. Sometimes it just works |
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| brucedownunder2 Guru Joined: 14/09/2005 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1548 |
Pete, Just wondering ,,, How would you ,or anybody, be able to make a tax claim ? Surely one would have to show in their tax return a profit from produced power into the grid ? Correct me if I'm wrong, but up to now ,no australian houshold has to show any profit from solar ,from their provider ?. This cleaning expense would then be offset against the "sold" power , . but, if you are not required to declare this "sold" portion, then you have no claim for an expense ? correct.? Bruce Bushboy |
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| Downwind Guru Joined: 09/09/2009 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2333 |
Dont know! I was only told by the company who installed my grid tied panels that i could claim cleaning, as they were a fixed asset to my home. I understand you can also claim cleaning of second story windows, and i have never known them to make a profit either or ever been declared. It simply comes under home maintaince, same as getting the plumber in to un-block your drains. Pete. Sometimes it just works |
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Gizmo Admin Group  Joined: 05/06/2004 Location: AustraliaPosts: 5078 |
I climbed up to wash my solar panels a couple of months ago. The panels have been up for about 2 years, but didn't need cleaning, not even a trace of bird poo. There are no tree's nearby, good wind, and the occasional rain event seams to be keeping them clean. I did discover a phone company contractor who was up there a year earlier decided to wipe the silicon off his fingers onto the panels though  . So my theory is solar panels dont need cleaning, but watch anyone who goes near them like a hawk!
Glenn The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now. JAQ |
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| norcold Guru Joined: 06/02/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 670 |
Being a textured surface, I`d imagine they did a good job cleaning his fingers. But what a grot, bet his missus had been giving him hell wiping the silicon on his pants. 
Yeah I don`t really think they need much cleaning if they are totally in the open. A little off topic was talking to a local installer who found mounting them on the south facing slope of the roof(down low) at latitude angle facing north, they pick up extra output from the south facing roof surface reflecting off roof surface onto them at an obtuse angle. Sounds plausible. We come from the land downunder. Vic |
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