Solar panels do not require high maintenance because they generally have self-cleaning mechanisms. In most cases, especially residential panels, people pay no attention to them. Rainfall shall do the deed. Makes sense!
However, in locations that are dry or when panels are tilted, they may often cover up with dust or bird droppings. In places where there is light, misty rain or no rain and constant drought conditions – you might need to get up there and clean the solar panels.
These substances can build up over time and affect the electricity generated by a solar module. The dirt can affect how much sunlight gets through. Indeed the amount of lowered efficiency is tiny, just 5% or even lower. It equals to a 20 dollar loss in your energy bill if you are using the typical 5kW solar panel.
Freshening up your solar panels is a good idea if you reside in an area with heavy particulates in the air. In this article, we address some questions on how to clean them, what materials to use and how often should you get the hassle of cleaning.
Once you have decided that cleaning needs to take place, surf through your options: Are you able to do it on your own? Would you rather hire a professional?
Source
Solar companies provide cleaning services. As part of their job description, you can call Scoop Solar if you live in an area that’s highly prone to grit, dust, and droppings. If you choose to do it on your own, get soap, a hose, water supply and voila! There you go!
What should I use to clean the panels?For starters, ask your installer about particular considerations, if any. Handling the glass with care is the first instruction any expert would give you. Scratching or damaging the panel will result in a reduction of panel energy. Do it the same way you wash your car. Slow and meticulous!
The ideal way to clean a solar panel is with dish soap mixed with warm water and applied with a soft sponge. That would be safe and easy. Another option could be to use a good quality soft brush and cloth covered sponge on another side.
Precautions to takeFollow the instructions provided by your solar panel manufacturer and then proceed to the task.
Make a note that you should not use a high-pressure water spray. It can also damage the panels as water gets in between the cells. Also, do not use the laundry detergents. They may react with the panels and bring a negative outcome.
You should know that solar panels are extremely hot on a heated summer day. Apart from giving you sunburns, cleaning on a hot day would result in quick evaporation of soapy water. It ultimately leaves the smudgy surface behind, affecting the efficiency of these panels.
When reaching out for the pitched roof, use the fall protection gear.
How often should I clean my Solar Panels?It is the most commonly asked question. Consumers are often confused whether they are doing a good job in maintaining the panels. Too much cleaning can result in the scratched surface, and scarce clean-up activity can disrupt the overall efficiency of the panels.
To figure out the frequency of cleaning, you should consider the following factors:
Your location The amount of wind and dust blowing The tilt angle of your panels Electric rate Costs occurred when cleaning the panelsLocation factors include the amount of dirt and droppings. The dust category should be understood. Easy dirt gets removed swiftly by rain or a simple water wash.
Stubborn dirt, on the other hand, is hard to move. As for the tilt angle, steep angles are hard to wash from the rooftop. Cleaning them from the ground is however easier.
Monitor functionsFeel free to tidy up the panels out there on a cool, cloudy morning. If you live in a location where rainfall barely happens, you should do that more often say, on a monthly basis.
Monitor your solar panel’s function by closely analyzing the electric bills. Find out the cause of fluctuation if you identify any. It is integral to control the numbers, so you reap the optimum benefits out of your investment.
The fluctuation will let you know if it needs maintenance or cleaning. Check the efficiency after rainfall. Does bill reduce it? If yes, problem solved. If not, make a call to the professionals. Expert insight into the condition of your solar cells will then assist you to make your next move.
The modern integration into the cells was that of anti-clinging film. It resists debris and dust is easier to blow off.
Solar panels are one-time investments that tend to bring you prolonged benefits. Choose the cleaning option that fits you best, whether you do it on your own or call a professional.
Author Bio
Andrea Bell is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences and express herself through her blogs.
Find her on Twitter:@IM_AndreaBell.
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The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus upgrade is here with a whole lot of new and interesting features that is worth putting your money on. The smartphone packs a large screen estate with a full HD+ resolution display and vibrant colour reproduction. It also features a nice design with a nice quality build and attractive aesthetics that catches the eye.
XIaomi Redmi 5 Plus Key Specs and Features 5.99-inch IPS Display, 1080 x 2160 pixels (403 ppi) 2.0Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 CPU with 3GB/4GB RAM Android 7.0 (Nougat), MIUI 9 32GB/64GB built-in Storage, up to 128GB memory card 12MP Rear Camera and 5MP Front Camera 4G LTE Data FIngerprint scanner (Front) 4,000 mAh non removable Li-Po Battery
One of the feature the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is nice aesthetics and well-curved edges and the recent bezel-less trend is also one the nice design that the smartphone comes with. The body is made of a nice Aluminium alloy with unibody design which is both durable and sleek. The smartphone is neither thick nor slim at 8.1 mm and weighs an average of 179g.
The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus come with a full HD+ display with no side bezels giving you more space to enjoy the view better. The 5.99-inch 1080 x 2160 pixel IPS LCD display has a pixel density of 409 ppi alongside an immersive color display with good viewing angles.
Camera and BatteryWhen it comes to taking pictures Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus offers a decent camera with a 13MP rear camera alongside a LED flash and a 5MP selfie camera. The camera should be able to take sufficiently decent pictures considering the additional features that comes with it like Xiaomi’s Smart Beauty 3.0 feature with face recognition. Often at times large pixel size does not usually translate to a better image so the camera should be a good one considering the other specs it features.
The battery capacity is fairly large considering that most smartphones have a little more than or exactly 3, 000mAh battery capacity. The Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus comes with 4, 000mAh battery capacity which should be able to last a day and some hours on light usage.
Hardware and SoftwareThe Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is a fairly powerful device and comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953 that clocks at 2.0GHz to prove it. The smartphone is available in two variant, a 3GB/32GB and a 4GB/64GB model both of which offers a smooth performance.
Both models comes with the same software package, running the same Android 7.1 with the MIUI 8 skin on top. This feature some new tweaks, customization and gestures that offer some additional fun giving you another level of Android experience.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Price and AvailabilityThe smartphone is currently available for sale in Nigeria and you can get it in retail outlets for a price ranging from 55, 000 Naira to 80, 000 Naira all depending on your ability to look for the best deals and your location.
Here are a few specs of the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus:
General Features Platform: Android 7.1.1 Nougat OS with MIUI 9 Processor: Octa-Core 2.0GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 MSM8953) GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 506 Memory: 3GB/4GB RAMColours: Black, Gold, Rose-Gold, Blue Dimension: 75.5 mm x 158.5 mm x 8.1 mm Weight: 179g SIM Type: Nano Sim SIM Count: Dual Hybrid Sim Display Display: 5.99 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen 1080 x 2160 pixels (409 ppi) Screen Protection: – Camera Rear Camera: 13MP Rear Camera Features: Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama, Phase detection autofocus, LED flash, Smart Beauty 3.0 Front Camera: 5MP Storage Built-in Storage: 32GB/64GB Memory Card Support: Yes, up to 128GB Bundled Cloud Storage: – Network Support 2G GSM: Yes 2G CDMA 1X: Yes 3G WCDMA: Yes 3G CDMA EVDO: – 4G LTE: Yes Internet & Connectivity GPRS: Yes EDGE: Yes 3G/WCDMA/HSPA: Yes HSPA+: Yes CDMA EVDO: – 4G LTE: Yes WLAN: Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, WiFi Direct, WiFi Display, Dual Band (2.4G + 5G) Wi-Fi Hotspot: Yes Bluetooth: Yes, Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP, LE, HIP NFC: No Infrared Blaster: No USB Port: USB v2.0, with OTG support Messaging SMS/MMS: Yes Instant Messaging: Yes Push Emails: Yes Email Protocol: – Entertainment Music Player: MP3/WAV/eAAC+/FLAC player Video Player: MP4/H.264 player FM Radio: Yes Loudspeaker: Yes 3.5mm Jack: Yes Navigation Navigation: Yes, with A-GPS, Beidou, GLONASS, GPS Maps: Yes Sensors & Control Digital Compass: Yes Accelerometer: Yes Proximity Sensor: Yes Light Sensor: Yes Barometer: Yes SpO2: No Pedometer: No Heart Rate Monitor: No Gyroscope: Yes Fingerprint Scanner: Yes (Rear) Iris Scanner: No Face Unlock: No Intelligent Digital Assistant: – Motion Sensing / Gesture Control: – Voice Control: – Other Features Video Streaming: Yes Active Noise Cancellation: Yes Wireless Charging: No Built-in Mobile Payment: No Water Resistant: No Dust Resistant: No Image Editor: Yes Video Editor: Yes Document Viewer: Yes Document Editor: Yes Battery Battery: 4, 000mAh Talktime: 15 hours Standby Time: 408 hours Fast Charging: Yes
The post Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Specs and Price appeared first on Nigeria Technology Guide.
