How to Care for Amorphous Solar Panels

Caring for an amorphous solar panel increases its lifespan.

Amorphous silicon solar cells have been used in consumer products such as calculators and digital watches since the early 1980s, according to the California Institute of Technology. Larger amorphous solar panels are commonly installed out of doors and used to generate energy from the sun's rays. Amorphous solar panels have a life span of 30 years when maintained properly. Caring for amorphous solar panels provides more surface area to capture the sun's energy. Bird droppings contain acid which destroys the amorphous solar panel surface.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Dish detergent
• Microfiber cloth
• Sponge

Instructions

Cleaning an amorphous solar panel

1. Pour 1 gallon of warm water into a bucket.

2. Mix 1 tbsp. of dish detergent into the warm water. Other cleaning supplies can damage the surface of the amorphous solar panel.

3. Soak a microfiber cloth in the solution. Microfiber cloth is not abrasive and does not scratch of the surface of the amorphous solar panel.

4. Wipe the amorphous solar panels with the cloth in a circular motion.

5. Dry the excess solution with a sponge. Leaving water on the amorphous solar panel can rust its panel molding and other metallic parts.

6. Clean the amorphous solar panels every three months for maintenance.

References

• California Institute of Technology: Thin Solar Panels
• Northwestern University: Solar Panels