One of the advantages of solar panels as an energy
generation technology is their low maintenance requirements. Once installed, a
solar panel will continue to produce power for 25+ years, with inverters
requiring replacement only 2 or maybe 3 times during that period. One of the
only regular maintenance activities that is recommended is cleaning, as dirt
that settles on panels can block sunlight and compromise power output. ClearShield
is a product that promises to make panel cleaning easier, as well as protect
the glass in the panels from staining and chemical degradation over time.
The Importance of Clean Glass and Solar Panels
Glass is
one of the most important components of a solar panel. Part of the ‘supporting
cast’ of parts, glass serves the vital role of protecting the silicon wafers,
which actually generate the electricity that comes from the panels, whilst
simultaneously allowing sunlight to pass through and reach the cells in as
unaltered a form as possible. But glass is not impervious to routine wear, and
contaminants can embed themselves in the microscopic peaks and troughs that
glass naturally has on its surface. Staining can occur due to air &
water-borne pollutants, not to mention harsher substances such as bird
droppings. On top of this, there is the matter of routine cleaning in order to
remove dust and debris that inevitably accumulate on them.How the ClearShield System can help
ClearShield has been used in protecting glass for
over 3 decades. Different from a coating, it is a transparent, polymeric resin
that bonds with the surface of glass to render it chemically inert. This yields
a number of benefits, including a significantly lowered need to clean the
panels (about half as frequently as without), greater ease in removing dirt,
and resistance to staining and discolouration.
The ClearShield System in South Africa
The ClearShield System, can be applied during panel manufacturing, or onsite as part of the installation process or thereafter. Interested installers and manufacturers can learn more by contacting Chris Woodcock of ClearShield S.A. Pty Ltd at info@clearshield.co.za, or visit the Clearshield S.A. website to find out more.
