PV cells and cleaning

scud8 · Joined: 21 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I'm interested in fitting PV cells to my house, but am pausing because of a couple of questions I'm struggling to find answers to - so I would be interested if anyone on here has any views/answers.

- How important is it that PV cells are cleaned regularly - and what type of cleaning is required? There was a study in the US that showed a 20% increase in average output in the days after they rinsed their panels, which they were doing ~ every 4 months (see http://www.csudh.edu/oliver/smt310-handouts/solarpan/solarpan.htm). The south facing part of my roof would be very difficult to access for cleaning other than rinsing with a high pressure hose from ground level(which would be wasteful in water use and impossible when we have a hosepipe ban).

- How much energy is required in the manufacture of each panel, and how long does it take before the panel is into energy-credit in typical UK conditions?

admin · Site Admin Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Kent

Hi scud8

I was told that the glass which covers the panels is dimpled this means that any bird sh1t etc is removed with rain. My panels have been up for nearly a year and a half and so far due the frequent rain in the UK they have not produced less electricty due to dirty panels.

Energy credit for UK panels is at less 5 years i think