Panel Surface Scratching Risk
Hard-bristled brushes, abrasive cleaning agents or sand grains left on the surface leaving permanent scratches on the panel glass. Scratches both lower light transmission and create roughness that holds dirt, accelerating subsequent soiling.
The front surface of a photovoltaic panel is tempered glass with an anti-reflective coating on top. This coating is thin; abrasive contact removes it locally, and in that area reflection rises and transmission falls. The damage is permanent and cannot be recovered by cleaning.
The biggest risk is dry cleaning. Brushing dry while there is sand on the surface means using the grains like sandpaper. That is why the sequence matters: the surface is first wetted so the loose grains are bound, and then brushing is done. High-pressure water can also be risky; it strains the frame seals and the junction box sealing.
The right brush must have a bristle structure soft towards the glass surface yet resilient enough to lift the dirt, and it must sit on the surface with controlled pressure. The industrial brush of the ROBEG ELS-03 is designed to remove the layer of dust, sand and dirt without damaging the panel surface, and its careful surface contact structure serves that purpose. In the choice of chemicals, products with abrasive and solvent content are avoided.
The context in which this term is used: Solar plant panel soiling and robotic cleaning