Lichen on solar panels

[Nocton]

We have noticed that there is quite a bit of lichen - the sort you get on stone - on our PV solar panels. It seems to have built up over the winter so we have now noticed it. The winter has been particularly wet and mild which will have encouraged the spread. So far we have not noticed any obvious deterioration in electricity output. The total last year was about average, but if the build-up has been particularly bad this year then it won't have shown up yet. Some of the panels have very little and others quite a bit. Overall, I estimate that the area covered might be ~2%. However, as/if it is going to get worse is it worth getting it removed? It needs a specialist cleaning company to do it as lichen attaches itself well. The panels were installed in 2010.
Has anybody any experience of cleaning PV panels or any advice?

[Breelander]

... It needs a specialist cleaning company to do it as lichen attaches itself well. The panels were installed in 2010.
Has anybody any experience of cleaning PV panels or any advice?

No experience (no PV panels) but here's one specialist (not a recommendation, just the first hit in Google). It does give a good explanation of the problem though.

http://cleansolar.solutions/solving-the ... -is-lichen

[ReformedCharacter]

Possibly conservatory roof cleaner:

https://www.wetandforget.co.uk/resident ... -cleaning/

RC

[PhaseThree]

Lichen is killed by the biocide Benzalkonium Chloride. This is the base ingredient of the vast majoririty of Patio/Drive/Moss cleaners on the market today. I have found the cheapest and most effective way to obtain this is to buy 50% dilluted version known as BAC50 in 5ltr containers. I then dillute it down to a sensible concentration for use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BAC-50-Benzalk ... 325&sr=8-5

Please note that this is unpleasenst stuff and needs to be treated with respect, use eye and skin protection etc.

[gramps]

Also, solar energy technology could be greatly improved with graphene. Its particular way of structure allows for semiconducting properties while being more efficient at everything than silicon. It's called the wonder material for a reason.

[tikunetih]

Besides BAC50 mentioned above (Note that Bonnymans are not currently supplying this to anyone, along with everything else they sell, because they're focusing on covid-19 stuff), another biocide option used by the "soft wash" trade are the products based on Didecyldimethylammonium Chloride. Search "DDAC 50%" and lose yourself in forums populated by fellas restoring the nation's roofs, drives, patios and rendering to pristine clean condition.

[AsleepInYorkshire]

Copper. Many years ago the roofers used to put a copper strip at the top of the roof. As it rained and the rainwater ran over it, it produced stuff that killed moss.

No moss = no lichens

I'd suggest you shop around for something that could be fitted to the panels and I'm surprised they aren't built in as standard?

Purely an example (a bad one at that)

AiYn'U

[dspp]

Copper. Many years ago the roofers used to put a copper strip at the top of the roof. As it rained and the rainwater ran over it, it produced stuff that killed moss.

No moss = no lichens

I'd suggest you shop around for something that could be fitted to the panels and I'm surprised they aren't built in as standard?

Purely an example (a bad one at that)

AiYn'U

Lead has the same effect.

regards, dspp

[stewamax]

Lichen is killed by the biocide Benzalkonium Chloride. This is the base ingredient of the vast majoririty of Patio/Drive/Moss cleaners on the market today. I have found the cheapest and most effective way to obtain this is to buy 50% dilluted version known as BAC50 in 5ltr containers. I then dillute it down to a sensible concentration for use. ... Please note that this is unpleasenst stuff and needs to be treated with respect, use eye and skin protection etc.

I use a 2% (diluted with water) solution for killing lichen on fence panels - and mine is BAC50 (50%) from Bonnymans.
Note that, if you feel tempted, even 2% is far too strong for use as a hand wash: 0.1% is about right.
And an NB: even dilute benzalkonium chloride is a severe eye irritant and, although is not caustic, can easily cause permanent damage as it dissolves the inner surface of the cornea. I use swimming goggles when initially diluting it and wrap-around safety glasses (and latex gloves) when spraying.
If used as a patio cleanser it also can make cats sick if they walk across and then lick their paws before it has dried.

With all those caveats it is works very well!

[bungeejumper]

And an NB: even dilute benzalkonium chloride is a severe eye irritant and, although is not caustic, can easily cause permanent damage as it dissolves the inner surface of the cornea. I use swimming goggles when initially diluting it and wrap-around safety glasses (and latex gloves) when spraying.

If used as a patio cleanser it also can make cats sick if they walk across and then lick their paws before it has dried.

With all those caveats it is works very well!

By the strangest of coincidences, I've been looking for benzalkonium this very afternoon. And finding that many of the retail outlets are sold right out, and that those that still have stock are ramping up the prices. At first I assumed that the entire northern hemisphere was getting down to a springtime algae clean-up, like me. But then I read, at https://hlssupplies.co.uk/bac50-biocide, that:

BAC50 is used for removing and preventing regrowth of algae, mould and fungus. It is also used and a broad spectrum disinfectant. BAC50 was previously used for moss removal, however BAC50 is no longer permitted for use in removing moss due to plant protection legislation.

Specifically, I gather that moss has now been officially recognised as a plant (rather than what?) Could it be that people are stockpiling the stuff?

BJ (I bought 5 litres, strictly for algae, your lordship)

[Itsallaguess]

By the strangest of coincidences, I've been looking for benzalkonium this very afternoon.

And finding that many of the retail outlets are sold right out, and that those that still have stock are ramping up the prices. At first I assumed that the entire northern hemisphere was getting down to a springtime algae clean-up, like me.

Not sure if you've got a local Wilko's, but they stock a couple of Benzalkonium Chloride products -

Brintons Patio Magic (£6 - 2.5L - 7.5% w/w) - https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/brintons-pa ... /p/0263130

Wilko Green Gone Super Concentrate Path and Patio Cleaner (£7.50 - 5L - 10g/L) - https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-green ... /p/0409268

Cheers,

Itsallaguess (who might inadvertently spill some Brintons on his drive from time to time...)

[kempiejon]

If you're down WIlko way for £1.50 you can get 1.5kg of soda crystals which are also pretty good for removing and preventing reinfestation of moss and algae.

[ReformedCharacter]

Also, solar energy technology could be greatly improved with graphene. Its particular way of structure allows for semiconducting properties while being more efficient at everything than silicon. It's called the wonder material for a reason. I would advise reading this article about solar panels

Moderator Message:
spam link removed (chas49)

It seems useful.

Looks highly questionable to me. In fact I'd say probably BS.

RC

[88V8]

Jeyers Fluid is a good cleanup for moss. Not sure about lichen.

OP should be glad to have lichen, it only grows in clean (ie not polluted) air.

V8

[Arborbridge]

Jeyers Fluid is a good cleanup for moss. Not sure about lichen.

OP should be glad to have lichen, it only grows in clean (ie not polluted) air.

V8

I'm surprise you can still get it. I thought it was killed off by regulation. OTOH, I bet it is not like the good old stuff we used to have.

Arb.

[AleisterCrowley]

http://jeyesfluid.uatdev.net/jeyes-product-wizard/
Still going, my dad used to use it

As for lichen, it gets around a bit. That's the 'Trouble with Lichen'

[servodude]

http://jeyesfluid.uatdev.net/jeyes-product-wizard/
Still going, my dad used to use it

As for lichen, it gets around a bit. That's the 'Trouble with Lichen'

At least it doesn't get up and walk
- sd

[tikunetih]

According to "the internet", the Jeyes fluid formula got changed a while back to take out the nasty stuff, since when the new formula is supposedly not so effective for the patio work.

Armatillox was another that seemed to bite the dust. My horticultural friend swore by this stuff, but IME it didn't work as well as BAC 50.


You just can't get cancer / destroy the environment like you used to!

[88V8]

Ahh the good old days of poisons that worked!!!
Gubmt conspiracy!
Trump was right!

My Jeyes still has that peculiar pong, and clears the moss off the steps and it stays off for six months. So the gumbt sabotage hasn't worked hah!

I have some Armillatox, yes it was a casualty of EU interference. Only ever used it for honey fungus, and touch wood haven't needed it for the last ten years. But I still have some so up yours Delors!

And I have a shed full of malathion, permethrin, Doff, pirimicarb and the like, and if necessary I won't hesitate to use them! Or at least, I won't hesitate if I can work out which of the labels that have fallen off the bottles related to which. Gubmt glue sabotage!!

Better not get started on creosote.

V8

[tikunetih]

My Jeyes still has that peculiar pong, and clears the moss off the steps and it stays off for six months. So the gumbt sabotage hasn't worked hah!

You want to get that on ebay - "Original Formula Jeyes" is worth a fortune, even if there is no such thing. Tell 'em what they want to hear...

NB if yours is a recent-ish purchase and it does still work then that's good to know - might try some myself as a test!