How to Clean Solar Light Lens

Solar light lenses have similar properties to magnifying glasses.

Scratching a solar light lens is the equivalent of dropping your car's transmission. The solar light lens focuses all the sun's rays and sends a concentrated beam of light to solar panel. You must use caution and care when cleaning a solar lens. Scrubbing the lens with any type of cloth causes unwanted scratching. A little air, water and dish detergent are all you need for cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Compressed air spray can
• Dish detergent
• Plastic container
• Spoon
• Liquid spray bottles
• Distilled water

Instructions

1. Spray the lens with compressed air. Hold the tip of the spray can 6 to 8 inches away from the lens. This removes most dust and debris without scratching the surface of the lens.

2. Mix a solution of 1 tbsp. of dish detergent and 5 cups of warm water in a plastic container. Stir the solution with a spoon until the dish detergent completely dissolves.

3. Pour the solution into a liquid spray bottle.

4. Spray a thin layer of the solution onto the solar lens. Let the solution soak for 5 minutes. Do not rub the lens.

5. Pour distilled water into a different liquid spray bottle. Spray the solar lens with the distilled water until there is no remaining detergent. Excess detergent damages the solar lens.

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until the solar light is fully cleaned.

Tips & Warnings

• Find compressed air sprays at hardware and electronics stores. They are commonly used to clean computers.

References

• Northwestern University: Power Systems
• Center for Energy Research: Solar Projects
• University of Nevada: Solar Panels