17' Series Whats the best way to clean roof solar panels?

[Duncanblake36]

Hi Guys,
Am away bush camping over Easter for the past week and a bit and a have had my 2 x 100ah batteries in the van go down to 18% even though the weather was beautiful and sunny. I run a Engel outside the van on freezer mode which normally is ok but not this time.

I have the 120w panel on the roof (which I discovered was covered in dust from the track to our campsite) and my second portable "follow the sun" 140w panel (5 years old) decided to die on me on day 2. Was able to borrow my dads 160w portable panel that saved me.

Anyway long story short. I've done a bit of online shopping and bought a new portable 140w light weight panel that can fit in my toolbox and an extra 250w panel to be mounted on the roof (to be connected to my Ctek D250s) so power should not be a problem going forward.



My question is..... Is there an easy way to clean your roof solar panels when the van is setup? or is it better to clean them when you pull up and the portable solar panel will fill in the gap if they get dirty during your stay?

 

[Drover]

I just back my ute up to van, stand on roof and wash them down with soapy water using a broom and squeege....

 

[Drover]

I do mine a few times while I'm away a bit of morning dew added to dust and pollen and it sticks like the proverbial, once had pollen 1/4 inch thick over everything a right mess.

 

[Duncanblake36]

I packed up the van last night and with the lid down I can access the solar panel ok by standing on the toolbox. I think from now on if I'm going to go down any bush tracks I give it a wash before I setup the van and if it needs a clean while were there I'll back the hilux up and wash it with the micro fibre mop we have for the van.

Do you guys know if there is any dust off polish you can use on panels to make cleaning easier?

 

[Eddii]

I bought a telescopic ladder. Easy to store in the van.

 

[Duncanblake36]

Mmmm. That’s a good idea. Need something for when I put up the annex up as the esky is just at little bit too short.

Also see if I can find an attachment for the mop handle so I can fit a squeegee.

eBay have the 2m ladders for $60 but I need it to fit in the toolbox on the front. May have to measure and see if it fits tonight.

I’m trying to minimise the amount I’m storing in the van as every space is now taken so I thinking of taking everything out and doing a complete repack/re-organisation.

 

[Drover]

I have a 3 step ladder which just lives okky strapped to spare wheel on back, doubles as ladder and coffee table.

 

[Eddii]

Bunnings sells those attachments that you’re talking about. I bought a fairly wide squeegee for my shed floor when I hose it down and it attaches to a normal mopping stick. If you could get close to solar with a ladder then just something to wipe it with would do the job. The telescopic ladder I have is 2m as well. It fits in the front tunnel booth. It’s great addition if you need to get up there for some other reason

 

[chartrock]

Mmmm. That’s a good idea. Need something for when I put up the annex up as the esky is just at little bit too short.

Have a look at these. I use a 3 step which gives plenty of height for setting up the anti flap kit. I also made plywood platform for the top step to make it easy to stand on.

 

[Duncanblake36]

@chartrock those ladders look great and will fit in the front without issue. The telescopic ones I looked at are 4cm too long for my toolbox on the front so these are perfect. Thanks for the heads up.

A trip to bunnings will be on the cards for some other stuff so will pick up a squeegee as well.