Cleaning a Glass Solar Panel With Solar Sheen: Before, After and What to Use

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As you can see in my video, this glass solar panel had gotten pretty dirty. I’ve been using it outdoors for quite some time, and the glass had picked up dust, fingerprints, spots and plenty of other grime. So I cleaned it with the Solar Sheen Solar Panel Cleaner by Cleantite.

The whole purpose of a solar panel is to collect energy from sunlight, so I don’t want an extra layer of dirt sitting across the glass. In this post, I’ll walk through how I cleaned a glass panel from start to finish, including the part that surprised me most: how much dirt ended up on my cleaning cloth.

Products Used in My Solar Panel Cleaning Video

👉 Solar Sheen Solar Panel Cleaner (32 oz)

👉 HQST Solar Panel Featured in This Video

For business inquiries and collaborations: luisangel@aemind.com

Affiliate Disclosure: If you purchase an item through the links provided, I may receive a commission from the Amazon Influencer Program, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.

A Glass Panel, Not a Flexible One

I’ve already reviewed this same cleaner on my flexible panel in my CLEANTITE Solar Panel Cleaner review on my BougeRV flexible panel, and this video shows how it handles a dirty glass panel that has been sitting outdoors instead.

If you have a glass panel like this, whether it’s an entire solar system or just a few panels, you know that over time that glass picks up dust, fingerprints, spots and grime from being outside.

What Solar Sheen Is

Solar Sheen is a concentrated cleaner made by Cleantite for photovoltaic solar panels. Here are the key features listed for it:

• 32 oz concentrated solar panel cleaner
• Makes up to 128 gallons of cleaning solution, according to Cleantite
• Designed for photovoltaic solar panels
• Removes dirt, oil and fingerprints
• Helps clean water spots and outdoor buildup
• Works on glass, and is also compatible with metal, plastic and wood
• Ammonia-free and phosphate-free formula
• Spray-and-wipe application
• Made in the USA

How I Cleaned My Glass Solar Panel

1. Look at the Glass First

Before getting started, I took a close look at the panel so you could see the dirt, dust, spots, fingerprints and other buildup across the surface.

2. Mix the Concentrate With Water

Solar Sheen comes as a super-concentrated solution, so instead of going through a whole bottle of premixed cleaner, you dilute a small amount of concentrate with water. I mixed my solution into a spray bottle. Follow the dilution directions on the bottle.

3. Spray and Wipe Across the Whole Panel

Once my solution was ready, I sprayed it on and worked my way across the solar panel, wiping down the glass as I went. I kept going until I had cleaned the full glass surface.

4. Rinse and Dry

After you’re done cleaning and wiping everything down, you want to hose the panel down or put water on it. Then wipe it all dry and clean.

The Dirty Cloth Says It All

The best way to see how dirty the panel actually was came after I started cleaning. In the video, I show my cleaning cloth: one side is covered in the dirt and grime that came off the glass, and the other side is still clean.

It’s one thing to see some dust and spots on the glass, but seeing all of that dirt transfer onto the cloth really puts it into perspective.

Before and After

After finishing the entire panel, I showed the before-and-after difference. The glass looked noticeably cleaner once all of that outdoor buildup was gone. From my personal experience, keeping my panels clean has helped my solar system with its power production.

What I Like

• It’s made specifically for solar panels
• The concentrate goes a long way, since one 32 oz bottle makes up to 128 gallons according to Cleantite
• It’s made without ammonia or phosphates
• It also works on glass, metal, plastic and wood
• The spray-and-wipe process is simple

Things to Keep in Mind

• You have to mix it with water yourself and use your own spray bottle
• You still need to rinse the panel and wipe it dry afterward

Can You Use Glass Cleaner on Solar Panels?

It’s one of the most searched questions about panel care, and panel makers’ own guidance points the same way: skip ordinary household glass cleaner on solar glass, especially ammonia-based products, and use water or a cleaner made for panels.

Source	What it says about cleaning panel glass
First Solar module cleaning guidelines	Prohibits ammonia; recommends low-mineral water and, if needed, a mild, non-abrasive, non-caustic detergent
AGC (glass maker) anti-reflective glass guide	Never use products containing ammonia derivatives, hydrofluoric acid, chlorine or abrasives; rinse with clean water and wipe softly
Jinko Solar installation manual	Clean with a soft cloth, dry or damp; avoid abrasive material and chemicals; clean when modules are cool
Canadian Solar customer support	Wash with water and a non-abrasive sponge in the cool part of the day; near-neutral pH, low-mineral water

Why the caution? Most modern panel glass carries a thin anti-reflective coating that helps more light reach the cells. Ammonia, strong alkalis, acids and abrasives can wear that coating over time, and hard water leaves mineral spots that scatter light. That’s the reason I use Solar Sheen, which Cleantite describes as ammonia-free and phosphate-free and made specifically for photovoltaic panels.

One more rule worth knowing: some manufacturers, like Jinko, say to use only water and avoid chemicals entirely to protect the warranty. Check your own panel’s manual before you pick a cleaner, and when in doubt, start with plain low-mineral water.

Cleaner	Good for solar glass?	Why
Plain water (low mineral content)	Yes	Recommended by every maker above
Water + mild, non-abrasive soap	Usually	Allowed by several makers; check your manual
Ammonia-free solar panel cleaner such as Solar Sheen	Usually	Made for PV glass; check your panel’s manual
Ammonia-based household glass cleaner	Avoid	Ammonia can affect anti-reflective coatings
Abrasive pads, powders or scrapers	Avoid	Scratch glass and coatings
Pressure washer	Avoid	Can damage seals and coatings

Solar Sheen Mixing Math

Cleantite says the 32 oz bottle makes up to 128 gallons of ready-to-spray solution, and the 1-gallon size makes up to 512 gallons. That works out to as little as about 0.25 oz (1.5 teaspoons) of concentrate per gallon of water at the maximum dilution. Here’s what that looks like for common sprayers:

Sprayer size	Concentrate at maximum dilution	Good for
32 oz spray bottle	About 1/16 oz (roughly 1/3 teaspoon)	One or two portable panels
1-gallon pump sprayer	About 0.25 oz (1.5 teaspoons)	A small ground array or RV roof
2-gallon pump sprayer	About 0.5 oz (1 tablespoon)	A larger ground mount
Whole 32 oz bottle	Up to 128 gallons of solution	Many seasons of cleaning

Glass Panels vs Flexible Panels: Cleaning Differences

I’ve now cleaned both types with the same cleaner. In my CLEANTITE Solar Panel Cleaner review, I used it on my BougeRV flexible panel. Here’s how the two surfaces compare:

	Rigid glass panel (like my HQST)	Flexible panel (ETFE or PET surface)
Surface	Tempered glass, often with an anti-reflective coating	Polymer film over the cells
Scratch risk	Low with soft tools	Higher; use only soft cloths
Flexing while cleaning	None	Support the panel and don’t press hard on the cells
Rinse	Low-pressure hose	Low-pressure hose or damp cloth
Best time	Morning or evening, when the glass is cool	Same

My Cleaning Routine for a Portable Glass Panel

1. Wait until the panel is cool. Early morning or evening avoids spraying cool water on hot glass.
2. Rinse off loose dust first so you’re not dragging grit across the glass.
3. Mix the solution in a clean spray bottle at the dilution on the label.
4. Spray and wipe gently with a soft microfiber cloth, turning it often. My dirty cloth showed how much comes off.
5. Rinse with low-mineral water so no residue or spots are left.
6. Dry with a clean cloth, or let it air dry if your water is soft.

How often should you clean? It depends on where the panel lives. In a rainy climate, rain handles a lot of it. In a dusty area, near trees or under birds, it may need more frequent cleaning. My solar panel cleaning guide covers when cleaning pays off and how to check your output.

Is Solar Sheen Worth It for Glass Solar Panels?

If your solar panels spend a lot of time outdoors and you want a concentrated cleaner for removing dirt, fingerprints, oils and water spots from the glass, I recommend Solar Sheen. If you want to see the panel I cleaned in this video, I’ve linked the HQST solar panel below too.

Solar Panel Cleaning FAQ

Can you use glass cleaner on solar panels?

Panel makers advise against ammonia-based household glass cleaners. Use low-mineral water, a mild soap your manual allows, or an ammonia-free panel cleaner.

Is Solar Sheen ammonia-free?

Yes. Cleantite says the formula is free of ammonia and phosphates.

How much Solar Sheen do I mix per gallon?

Cleantite says 32 oz makes up to 128 gallons, which is about 0.25 oz per gallon at the maximum dilution. Follow the label for your situation.

Can I pressure wash my solar panels?

Panel makers advise low-pressure water instead, since high pressure can damage seals and coatings.

Watch My Solar Panel Cleaning Video

▶ Solar Panel Cleaner Solution Fluid (Cleaning Dirty Solar Panels with Solar Sheen Fluid)

👉 Solar Sheen Solar Panel Cleaner (32 oz)

👉 HQST Solar Panel Featured in This Video

For business inquiries and collaborations: luisangel@aemind.com

If you purchase an item through the links provided, I may receive a commission from the Amazon Influencer Program. Thank you for supporting the channel.