Forum Discussion

Old_Days's avatar
Old_Days
Explorer II
May 28, 2016

Solar Panels

I have been trying to find out if cleaning my solar panels with Windex and paper towels is alright to do. We just got back from a trip in the woods and we had pine sap on my truck and TC. I have washed them with soap and water but our water is very hard and leaves a film. Thanks for the help.
Truck Campers
  • Old_Days's avatar
    Old_Days
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2016
    We do a lot of early spring camping and the only time you get tree sap on your truck and camper seems to be in may. Some of the campgrounds in the Midwest in June and July have mosquitoes the size of bees, so we go camping over by lake Michigan then.
  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    I think I would park where ever I wanted to, then occasionally clean the panels. Like once a week or once a month. Now that is my no solar panels guy opinion.
  • Old_Days's avatar
    Old_Days
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2016
    The camp site we had got a lot of sun till noon, then some shade in the afternoon so my battery's got charged everyday.Plus I do not have a ladder on the TC so going up on the roof isn't going to happen till I get home.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 29, 2016
    Fire Instructor wrote:
    2oldman wrote:
    Next time under trees cover the panels.
    Why? You always get SOME sunlight, so my panels and controller never "sleep" all day.....
    If the tiny amount of energy you get from shaded panels is worth cleaning sap, go right ahead.
  • Fire_Instructor's avatar
    Fire_Instructor
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    2oldman wrote:
    Next time under trees cover the panels.

    Why? You always get SOME sunlight, so my panels and controller never "sleep" all day.....
  • Fire_Instructor's avatar
    Fire_Instructor
    Explorer
    May 29, 2016
    That's what I do, but only first thing in the morning, or as the sun is going down.... Not sure what spraying them in full sun might do....

    Though once, I went to the roof with a sponge mop, during a rain storm.... My neighbor thought I was nuts! (Trailer was in my driveway.)

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