Properties

Environmental hazards

As a result, soils are removed more efficiently and less water is used. Field experience proves this: • Does not contain solvents or corrosive soaps • Compatible with anti-reflective films, metal Polywater® SPW™ was tested at a winery in India rails, and mastics where the existing cleaning procedure used 5 liters of water alone per panel. Using a 25:1 water-to- SPW™ mix, only 3 liters were required to clean 10 Approvals: panels. Water use was reduced by a factor of 15. Polywater® Solar Panel Wash™ is approved for In a Mexican trial, approximately 1.7 liters of SPW™ use on most types of solar panels by the solution was used per panel. Water use was also following manufacturers*: reduced in this field trial. • Canadian Solar Polywater® Solar Panel Wash™ has a spot-free rinse, eliminating the need for deionized water. Elimination • Solar World of deionized water yields more water savings, since it takes more than a gallon of water to create one • JASolar Technology Co. gallon of DI or RO water. • Sixvan Intelligent Systems Technology Co. Efficient cleaning saves water and is more • Noark-Electric Co. environmentally appropriate. It is an effective * Approval letters available upon request. cleaning method that also saves labor time. Compatibility: Polywater® SPW™ Solar Panel Cleaner is compatible with PV panels and is approved by multiple panel manufacturers. It is compatible with: • Specialty Films • Aluminum Rails • Cables and Wiring • Mastics and Sealants Test Method: Panels were placed against a south- facing wall at a 45° angle, at American Polywater’s factory in Stillwater, MN. A sprinkler sprayed the panels with ground water for 15 minutes at 3:00 each morning. Water conductivity was measured at 95 µS, approximately 67 ppm water hardness. The panels were exposed to Polywater® Solar Panel Wash SPW™ using the following process over a two-week period: Monday Between 8 00 and 10 00 a.m. each panel was rinsed with a 25:1 solution of the Solar Panel Wash SPW™ in water. The panel was then scrubbed with a very soft brush, then rinsed again with the 25:1 SPW™ solution and allowed to dry without any further water rinse. Tuesday–Friday Between 8 00 and 10 00 a.m each day, both panels were rinsed with the 25:1 SPW™ solution and allowed to dry. 3) The panels were not cleaned over the weekends, but the sprinkler continued to spray the panels with groundwater for 15 minutes at 3:00 each morning. Conclusion: Modules were re-flashed after they were returned to SolarWorld. No degradation of the antireflective coatings or other irregularities to the panels were detected after application of American Polywater Corporation’s Solar Panel Wash (SPW™). Environmental Impact: Polywater® SPW™ Solar Panel Wash is readily biodegradable per OECD Guidelines. Materials must be 60% biodegraded within 10 days to meet these OECD Guidelines. The resulting products of biodegradation are carbon dioxide and water. Because Polywater® Solar Panel Wash SPW™ is so biodegradable, it does not accumulate in the environment. Polywater® Solar Panel Wash SPW™ is the environmentally safe solution to cleaning solar panels. Physical Properties: SPW™ is a clear, odorless, non-caustic liquid cleaner that contains no solvents. It is freeze- thaw stable and safe to use. Property Result Initial Boiling Point ~100°C Specific Gravity 1.0 pH Neutral Solvent/Volatile Content None Phosphate Content None Ammonia Content None Flashpoint (ASTM D93) None Cleaning Effectiveness: SPW™ Cleaner removes a broad range of ash, dust, oils, and organic matter, rinsing the contamination clean from PV surfaces and aluminum rails. Bentonite, oils, and salts were coated on glass panels to test cleaning efficacy. A 25:1 solution of the Solar Panel Wash SPW™ in water was used to clean the surface. Cleaning solution effectiveness was compared to a water control. Panels are coated and dried for 24 hours to set. Contaminated surface is lightly and evenly sprayed with either SPW™ cleaning solution or DI water control. Wetted surface is lightly passed with soft cleaning brush, then rinsed with tap water. Result is noted. Contamination SPW Solution Control Bentonite and Excellent (4) Poor (1) Mineral Oil Salt Solution and Bentonite Good (3) Fair (2) Bentonite and Excellent (4) Fair (2) WD-40® Before cleaning Control SPW SPW™ diluted 25:1 emulsified oils and lifts dusts. It simplifies and speeds the cleaning with less scrubbing and faster dry times. Usage Directions: End Uses: General Maintenance Note: • Utility-Owned Solar Farms Inspect the entire solar array system prior to cleaning • Industrial Arrays to detect loose or broken wires and panels, or improperly functioning apparatus. Make necessary • Commercial Arrays repairs before cleaning. Schedule quarterly cleaning and maintenance to keep system operating at • Residential Ground and Rooftop-Mounted theoretical maximum output. Panels Solar Panel Wash SPW™ Usage Recommendation: Washing Panels Increases Performance: Recommended dilution ratio is 1 part Solar Panel Wash SPW™ to 25 parts water (25-1). For heavily Regular cleaning maximizes PV system soiled areas, use either a higher SPW™ cleaner performance and longevity. A 2011 World concentration or more rinsing. The cat