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Make the most of solar panels

Jon Lawson

An increased push from the United Nations (UN) to combat climate change will lead to a wider adoption of energy from renewable sources, including solar power, over the coming years. As a result, global water, energy and maintenance solutions provider NCH Europe is urging solar energy providers to consider the cleanliness of their solar panels to increase efficiency and reliability.

At the end of 2015, the UN Conference of the Parties (COP21) made a unified decision to reduce carbon emissions and increase the uptake of renewable energy. This decision arose in response to the global climate change crisis that the UN is eager to tackle by 2030. However, the sustainability of solar powers can only be maintained if panels are clean and able to conduct sunlight.

“A solar panel is only as effective as the quantity of sunlight it can absorb,” explained Mark Burnett, VP of the Lubricants and Fuel Additives Innovation Platform at NCH Europe. “For the same reason that solar panels aren’t installed where they would be obscured by shadows for most of the day, it is crucial that business owners ensure they remain free from dirt.

“A build-up of dirt and grime can lead to a solar panel simply turning off as the sunlight is blocked out, which will cause problems in the steady, reliable supply of energy. If businesses, governments and entire nations are going to be increasingly reliant on renewable energy it’s vital to pay attention to even the smallest details.”

To ensure that solar panels remain effective and operational, companies should invest in a high-quality cleaning solution. To this end, NCH Europe offers solar panel users Screen Clean powder, a product that provides a superior clean that, unlike alcohol-based solutions, does not smear or cause surface blemishes.

“Not only does Screen Clean allow solar panels to operate efficiently, it is environmentally friendly in its own right,” added Burnett. “When diluted in water, the PH-neutral formula means that it is kind to people and the environment, particularly in comparison to other products on the market that are alcohol-based.”

Screen Clean powder, often used in automotive and fleet vehicle applications, has a highly concentrated formula that provides extensive cleaning regardless of water type. Its compact form means that superior results are achieved using less solution per unit than standard liquid cleaners, saving both time and money for businesses.

By maintaining a clean solar panel, businesses and suppliers of solar energy can contribute to meeting the UN’s environmental goals. In doing so, they will in turn be able to meet their own cost and productivity objectives.

 

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