While the world is moving towards renewable sources, the installation of solar panels both in residential and commercial fields becomes an everyday event. Extreme sunny climates such as the one in Lahore take center stage. Moreover, with ample sunlight, the city is absolutely a great place to produce solar energy. However, because of dust and environmental concerns coupled with extreme climatic conditions in Lahore somewhat affects the efficiency of the solar panel. This paper will discuss the best means of cleaning solar panels, suitable for the hot climate of Lahore, to maximize their efficiency and life.
The solar panel seems to have become inefficient because of dust, dirt, bird droppings, or debris piled up on the surface of the panel while it is working to transform sunlight into electricity. This build-up occurs much faster in Lahore than it would in temperate climates, considering dust storms and extreme heat. According to experts, even a thin layer of dust reduces the energy output of solar panels by up to 20%. So, regular cleaning is essential to keep your solar panels at peak performance and serve with maximum return on investment.
To understand it really, the specific challenge of cleaning in the Lahore environment needs to be realized as follows:
High Dust Level: A characteristic of Lahore is its high level of dust at times dust storms leave a thick covering on the faces of solar panels.
Birds: The city often has flocks of birds, especially pigeons, which prefer their nests on rooftops. Droppings from these birds may make it challenging to create stains on the solar panels, which further decreases their productivity.
High Temperatures: In the peak summer season, temperatures in Lahore shoot up to 40°C or more. Extreme heat makes conventional cleaning methods pretty less effective as evaporation of water at such a high speed can create streaks and mineral deposits on the panels.
Having in mind what the problems are now, let’s try to know the best cleaning techniques with which solar panels in Lahore are kept running at their best.
Waterless cleaning systems have been adopted instead because temperatures and frequent dust storms prevail in Lahore. The main advantage of these systems is that it is possible to remove dust with special brushes or microfiber cloths without using water at all. This approach is more effective in dry periods as water is less available and avoids the risk of water spots on panels due to fast evaporation.
Advantages: Eco-friendly, with no risk of water spots, and suitable for regions with water shortages.
Cons: Regular maintenance is required and can be a cumbersome process for extensive arrays.
Streaks or white spots may be formed when water is cleaned on solar panels, as a real-life example may be that water seems to increase streaks or white spots if ordinary tap water is used. Instead, deionized water or distilled water should be used because regular tap water coming from Lahore contains minerals that, when dried in the hot sun, can form streaks or white spots.
Pros: Streak-free results, and it can be used with all types of solar panels.
Robotic cleaners are the newest technology and have lately become even more affordable. They simply run over the surface of the panel, leaving soft brushes attached to them that suck in dirt and debris. Some models of these robots spray water to get a deeper clean, and others use no water at all.
Robotic cleaners are very useful during hot climates like in Lahore since they can be set to clean during night, fall, or early hours of the morning when the temperatures have cooled, thereby reducing water evaporation.
Advantages: Automated, suitable for large-scale solar farms, save labor costs.
Disadvantages: High initial investment, requires regular maintenance.
Manual cleaning is still the most common technique applied for small residential or commercial setups. This method provides great care in detail, especially with bird droppings or other stubborn stains in specific areas. A lot of attention to detail and concern for handling various objects come with using soft brushes and squeegees.
If it is done manually. At what time during Lahore’s hot weather to clean be early morning hours or late evening when the place becomes cooler? Additionally, cleaning at such times does not let water evaporate off quickly, hence it is a streak-free finish.
It is cost-effective, Simple, and does not require advanced apparatus.
Labor-intensive, for large arrays may not be apt; chances of scratches as it is done by hand.
In some massive-scale solar farms, water sprinkler systems are used to clean the solar panels frequently. These systems are usually set up so that water is sprayed across the panels at fixed periods to enable the removal of dust and debris. Although cost-effective in terms of time, this method is wasteful in terms of water use, which is a critical consideration in water-scarce areas such as Lahore.
Pros: Fast and efficient for large-scale installations.
Con: It consumes large amounts of water not suitable for domestic purposes, and it can streak in hot weather
Pressure washing can be applied to solar panels, but only if done with extreme caution. High pressure can easily damage the surface of the panels or even dislodge seals, which may cause serious problems to the overall efficiency of the panels. In Lahore, where thick layers of dust will usually accumulate on the faces of the panels, pressure washing works only if done properly.
It should be made under low pressure and avoided during the middle of the day as the panels are hot. Cold water on hot panels might cause thermal stress that may crack the glass.
Advantages: It can clean stubborn dirt and debris.
Disadvantages: It will damage it if not done perfectly, so professional handling is a must.
Many of the cleaning kits for solar panels can be found as widely utilized equipment specifically designed for the safe and proper cleaning of the panels. The kits are primarily comprised of a soft brush, squeegee, and mild detergent. For the people in Lahore, these kits allow for a DIY maintenance process that will not potentially harm the panels.
As the owner cleans the solar panel with a cleaning kit, he should not utilize chemicals and abrasives, as they may hurt the solar panel, thus reducing its lifetime.
Pros: DIY-friendly, cost-effective, and safe for all panel types.
In addition to making the proper cleaning method, best practices would further ensure the longevity and performance of solar panels in the harsh weather of Lahore, as listed below:
Clean Often: Because Lahore is quite a dusty city, you must clean solar panels at least once every two months. More frequent cleaning may be necessary during summer months or after a dust storm.
Clean the Solar Panels during Early Morning or Late Evening: Cleaning the solar panels during cooler parts of the day prevents the evaporation of water. In this way, there is a lesser possibility of thermal shock.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Only mild detergents, or cleansing agents that are made specifically for solar panels, should be used. Harsh chemicals could damage the protective coating on the panels.
Clean the panels Look for any cracks or loose connections Check the panel during cleaning for signs of cracks or loose connections. This can lead to other large problems if undetected.
Keeping the efficiency of your solar panels is very important to get the maximum amount of energy output and to avoid damage to your investment. AfinityMS (Pk) boasts professional services in cleaning solar panels designed exclusively for Lahore, its climatic conditions, and well-equipped techniques and equipment in keeping your panels dust, dirt, and debris-free, so they function at their absolute best.
Whether you are a residential owner or in charge of a large commercial solar installation, we are capable of fulfilling all your solar panel cleaning needs. Contact AfinityMS (Pk) today to arrange a meeting or learn about how we can assist you in keeping your solar panels clean and efficient throughout the year.
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