Is White Stains From Water Going To Prevent My Solar Panels To Work Properly?
August 12th, 2009
I installed solar pathway lights in my lawn along the pathway. The water from the sprinkler form white stains on the solar panel. Is that going to cause problem or prevent the battery from charging? If yes, what options do I’ve to reduce it?
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yes because it will block some of the sunlight but not by much. Have you tried cleaning the stains off?
The stains are from hard water - minerals in the water supply. They will reduce the efficiency of the solar panels, but you can deal with them with CLR or Lime-away cleaners.
Yes the water calcium stains will reduce the power and light produced
to stop the water from landing directly onto the panels use a light
coat of petrolium gel on the surface then lay a layer of clear plastic
wrap banded to the light fixture the plastice wrap will keep the lens
free of calcium and water contaminate off the lens so the solar panel
will be able to perform without the oxidation the calcium and water
contaminates will cause build up and haze up the lens also birds dropping will cause pitting the plastic wrap will stop this damage
and a small thin application of pertrolium gelly will make the surface
stay clear so light will enter the panel without acting as a barrier
so the panel will work as it was designed. Oxidation on any electrical
conductor will deminish its output effectiveness. Most exterior solar
units are grounded enough to not be affected adversly by some water
but the oxidation of the conduit connectors needs to be avoided to maximize the output with loss of power generated. the wrap will
act as a barrier to the water contaminates like fluoride and chlorine in drinking water. And some tap water contains calcium and nitrates which show up as discoloration on water shower taps head and faucets. If your area has flouride or chlorinated water avoid the lamps
contact with all water sprinklers output Its a waste of free power
and expense of installing these lights if you dont take care of them
to last as long as possible to offset there cost to operation.