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Rain X on Solar panel

cgjt
Explorer
Explorer
Was wondering if putting an application of Rain X or similar water repellent on the solar panel would help in keeping the panel cleaner. Any thoughts on this idea appreciated. Thank you.
15 REPLIES 15

mr_andyj
Explorer
Explorer
There are glass panels and there are those cheap-o flexible plastic covered panels. I think if you damage the cheap-o plastic one you will be doing yourself a favor to get a glass one. Only use the flex ones if you absolutely have no other choice... My opinion based on some wasted money...

Fisherman
Explorer
Explorer
The only problem I see if the solar panel is laid flat level on the roof, any type of waxy oily protectant will cause water drops to group together. When the sun comes out, those water drops can become magnifying before they dry up. I don't know if that would cause any damage to the underlying solar grid, just a thought.

deltabravo
Nomad
Nomad
Grit dog wrote:
gbopp wrote:
I think Rain-x is not recommended for solar panels.

I canโ€™t possibly imagine how this could be possible.


Ditto.

I can't see how there would be a problem putting Rain-X on any glass surface.
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ktmrfs
Explorer II
Explorer II
TurnThePage wrote:
I don't know what the top of solar panels is made of, but it's not glass. RainX is for glass and can damage some plastics. It'll fog headlights for instance. Maybe there's some kind of car wax that might work.

I just use a long handled brush/squeegee. To clean mine periodically.


friend of mine helped develop many solar panels for many companies. In all cases the cover was glass. Now it is NOT repeat NOT your typical glass, it's designed to transmit as much of the useable wavelengths of light that the panel is sensitive to. A lot of work goes into that glass.

As for Rain-x, I doubt it will damage the glass, however the unkown is if the coating will absorb any of the wavelengths that the cells like for energy conversion.
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delwhjr
Explorer
Explorer
Found this article on cleaning:

Cleaning Panels
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2006 Durango HEMI

TurnThePage
Explorer
Explorer
I don't know if that's the case as I can't find that info for my panels. But if it is, RainX might work nicely. At any rate, I got curious and googled it, and came across this product line, which looks interesting. They say it's safe on glass and plastic, and they claim it will last for years.
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Boon_Docker
Explorer III
Explorer III
TurnThePage wrote:
I don't know what the top of solar panels is made of, but it's not glass. RainX is for glass and can damage some plastics. It'll fog headlights for instance. Maybe there's some kind of car wax that might work.

I just use a long handled brush/squeegee. To clean mine periodically.


Solar panels are covered with tempered glass.

2oldman
Explorer II
Explorer II
lane hog wrote:
I've never washed mine in 15 years. Rain takes care of that for me.
You sure about that? Rain is how mine get dirty.
"If I'm wearing long pants, I'm too far north" - 2oldman

TurnThePage
Explorer
Explorer
I don't know what the top of solar panels is made of, but it's not glass. RainX is for glass and can damage some plastics. It'll fog headlights for instance. Maybe there's some kind of car wax that might work.

I just use a long handled brush/squeegee. To clean mine periodically.
2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE

lane_hog
Explorer II
Explorer II
I've never washed mine in 15 years. Rain takes care of that for me.
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  • 2016 F-150 3.5L MaxTow (had Ram 2500 CTD, Dodge Durango)
  • 130W solar and 2005 Honda EU2000i twins that just won't quit

cgjt
Explorer
Explorer
Thank you to everyoneโ€™s replies. I knew someone would know. Thanks again.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
gbopp wrote:
I think Rain-x is not recommended for solar panels.

I canโ€™t possibly imagine how this could be possible.
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wildtoad
Explorer II
Explorer II
Every so often you might want to rinse them off or perhaps wash them with soap and water but other than that leave them alone.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
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gbopp
Explorer
Explorer
I think Rain-x is not recommended for solar panels.