Solar Panel Road Dust Removal

johnfconway

I did search for this and came up empty.

Panel material is electrostatic, attracts and holds on to dust. Access to a lot of dispersed camping areas out west requires "x" miles on washboard dirt roads. I'm sure panel capacity is greatly diminished when it's clearly dusty. We do carry a 4' fiberglass ladder in TV truck bed.

Has anyone come across a reasonably heavy duty telescoping cleaning tool that works to clean dust off of panel? We're willing to sacrifice some water if it needs to be added to cleaning material. 

Thanks for sharing your experience!

warbler_road

I clean mine (and the top of the camper in general) at home with one of these. You can get an extending lightweight pole to put it on. It's not "heavy duty," but you want to be gentle I think.

Sharon_is_SAM

Can you put an extra long hose on the outside shower?  We have a telescoping handle for our soft bristled brush for washing the van and TaB.  That and maybe a collapsible ladder?

BirdieJane

We have extendible handle with soft brush, a bucket and foldable step ladder. Works well. 

johnfconway

warbler_road said:

I clean mine (and the top of the camper in general) at home with one of these. You can get an extending lightweight pole to put it on. It's not "heavy duty," but you want to be gentle I think.

Thank you! Exactly what we were looking for. Recently broke light-duty duster for in house use. Just ordered Ettore microfiber brush with pole for T@B and lambswool duster for house.

DougH

... but i also spend time on dirt roads and get junk all over the front of the T@B. A lot of areas don't have car washes, or if they do, they have signs saying "NO CAMPERS".  How rude!  Also a contactless way to get dust and bird deposits off the panels.

JeffroNC

@DougH gee whiz, this forum is making my wish list grow. I can hear Tim the Tool Man in my head "More power!"

DougH

@JeffroNC Tell me about it! I'm about to try to switch over to full timer, and I'm wondering where I'll store everything that reading this forum forces me to purchase.

ontheroad

Another JIC item...