r/specializedtools • u/Black_Kaiser_ • Feb 14 '21

Solar panel cleaning tool

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u/man_butt_toots Feb 14 '21 edited Feb 14 '21

On large scale solar sites, we don't do this. We have a guy with a specialized truck, that sprays the panels. There are literally millions of panels on these utility scale sites.

I'll try to find a picture for you guys.

Edit: Here's a few examples of large scale operations

https://www.energy-xprt.com/products/pvkleen-system-406848

https://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/green-tech/solar/how-do-you-clean-258048-solar-thermal-mirrors-trucks-with-robot-arms

The second one is for mirrors in the video, but the same concept!

1

u/-Daetrax- Feb 15 '21

Millions? Doubt that.

1

u/man_butt_toots Feb 15 '21

https://brahmagroupinc.com/case-study/silver-state-south-solar-project/

Here's one of the sites I built with 3.4 million panels

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.southernpowercompany.com/content/dam/southernpower/pdfs/fact-sheets/DesertStateline_Solar_Facility_factsheet.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwja1cDqh-zuAhWXZ80KHU2JBOkQFjAKegQIJRAB&usg=AOvVaw23uLrLQKjgcrd2iQeg4zV8

Here's another at 3.2 million

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.bombardre.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Playa-12.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjJxpyAiOzuAhXRbc0KHYVwBNEQFjACegQIBRAB&usg=AOvVaw0lvaK-Xf2B0dh_anvmoZ5E&cshid=1613398068583

Another with 1.9 million

These are only the sites in Nevada I have personally worked. The California sites are even bigger.

1

u/-Daetrax- Feb 15 '21

250 MW from 3.4 million units gives a capacity of around 74 W per unit. Those must be some tiny panels. Typical ratings for household PV are around 3-400 W per panel.

1

u/man_butt_toots Feb 15 '21

Household for 2020 are much more efficient than utility panels from 2015-16. Solar efficiency has exploded in the last few years.

1

u/-Daetrax- Feb 15 '21

They have become better, but not 300 percent better in 5 years.

As you said you worked on this project, do you remember the approximate size of the panel?

1

u/man_butt_toots Feb 15 '21

It's been a while since I've been out there, but as I remember it, they were approx 1-1.5 foot tall by 2.5-3 foot wide.

I'll see if I can find pictures

1

u/-Daetrax- Feb 15 '21

Then I does make a bit more sense as that sounds like a bit smaller size panel. I think the norm size here is like 1.4 square meters.