FEATURE FACILITIES MANAGEMENT KEEP THE SUN SHINING:


A guide to keeping solar panels clean and functional


Solar power is one of the most reliable renewable sources, with a number of schemes and initiatives in place across Europe to encourage more businesses to install panels. However, in order to ensure longevity of the panels themselves they must be kept clean and functional. Mark Burnett, VP of the Lubricants and Fuel Additives Innovation Platform at NCH Europe, explains how effective solar panel cleaning is key to truly sustainable power


P


hotovoltaic (PV) solar panels, the type most commonly installed by


businesses, work on a very simple concept - the more sunlight they can absorb, the more energy it can generate. Unfortunately, panels also attract a large number of contaminants such as dirt, pollution and bird faeces, which is unavoidable as the panels are installed outside and are exposed to the elements. Any form of blemish can affect the


overall electrical output and over time this greatly reduces overall panel efficiency and capacity. Some solar panels even switch off completely if too much of the surface is obstructed with grime. This decrease in efficiency makes for a lot of lost power. Sadly, there is little that can be done to


prevent contaminants from accumulating in the first instance. For example, rainwater poses a problem; other than typically signalling a lack of sunlight to


absorb, rain is bad news for PV panels as it leaves marks on the panel itself. This is a result of the salt and mineral composition of raindrops as well as airborne particles that get captured during rainfall and settle on surfaces when the rain evaporates, similar to when car windscreens gather grime in the corners.


CLEANING YOUR PANELS The process of cleaning solar panels can be fairly intricate. A number of factors should be taken into consideration, from timing to cleaning product, in order to properly remove grime from panels and ensure optimum performance. Choosing the right time to clean is key.


It is best to clean panels either early in the morning or late at night, when sunlight is at a minimum and the installations are cooler. Early morning offers the advantage of dew, which can help to loosen surface grime so less


cleaning product is required to remove it. The most important step in cleaning


and maintaining solar panels is ensuring that you use the best cleaning product. Many standard panel cleaners are alcohol-based, which tend to leave behind sun-blocking smears during wipe down as the alcohol is insoluble. In effect, the cleaning product itself contributes to the obstruction of the panel. In order to achieve an effective clean,


maintenance engineers should use an alcohol-free alternative that provides the same cleaning ability regardless of season. As water-based products are subject to freezing, the best choice is an additive-based product. Additive cleaning solutions are able to


deliver the same quality, regardless of conditions and without leaving residual blemishes. Beyond the cleaning itself, these products can also yield environmental benefits in their own right.


CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT NCH Europe has developed two versions of its additive cleaning product, Screen Clean - one in tablet form, the other in powder form. This means that there is less environmental impact in the first instance as they do not require large shipments of water or the use of plastic bottles. This makes it a ‘greener’ alternative to most solar panel cleaners that are distributed in liquid formats. When considering the environmental


impact of a cleaning solution, it is also important to pay attention to the formulation of the product itself. While some additives have a PH-neutral solution that is safe for both the environment and people, some may use Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These carbon-based solutions dry quickly at room temperature and their toxicity can also be harmful to the environment. However, when using additive


solutions, it is important to choose a product compatible with the water type that will be used to dilute it. Screen Clean was designed to offer competitive results regardless of whether it is topped up with hard or soft water, but not all solutions offer this level of flexibility. While it makes logical sense to wash


panels on a regular basis to ensure maximum conductivity, this can quickly become an expensive practice. It also increases the likelihood of scratches to the panel surface, which may occur from abrasive scrubbing. Cleaning solar panels once every four to six months enables businesses to make the most of the sun without a dip in efficiency or spending too much money on cleaning solutions.


NCH Europe www.ncheurope.com


20 NOVEMBER 2017 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT / FACTORYEQUIPMENT


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49