When it comes to solar panel cleaning, the goal is always to maximize performance while minimizing cost, downtime, and complexity. Traditionally, water purification systems such as reverse osmosis (RO) and deionization (DI) have been used to remove minerals and prevent staining on photovoltaic (PV) modules. While effective, these systems come with high upfront costs, complex installation, and ongoing maintenance.

Another commonly used approach is ChemiTek’s Water Softening Agent (WSA) with real-time dosing, a modern and efficient alternative - designed to deliver high performance, flexibility and sustainability at a fraction of the cost.

But first things first - What Is WSA?

Water Softening Agent (WSA) is a biodegradable water treatment specifically formulated for hard and very hard water, particularly in solar cleaning operations. Its primary role is to capture calcium and other ions, preventing stains on solar modules after cleaning, a common issue that leads to a degration in performance over time by accelerating the soiling rate.

• When added directly in the water tank, the action time is around 20 minutes, and agitation accelerates its effectiveness.
• Dilution ratios range from 1:5000 for soft water to 1:500 for very hard water
• Compatibility: WSA can be used in tandem with other ChemiTek products for enhanced cleaning results

This makes it ideal for utility scale cleaning companies, lowering costs and simplifying the water management to and in the site.

With Real-Time Dosing: How It Works

The real-time dosing system, composed of dosing pump and a dynamic mixer, allows WSA to be automatically mixed with water during the cleaning process. This eliminates the need for large storage tanks or pre-treatment steps and significantly reduces setup complexity.

Water from any local source, whether tap or even well — can be treated on-site effectively and used directly in the cleaning process. The simplicity of this method stands in sharp contrast to the logistical and technical challenges associated with traditional water purification systems.

With this system, all scales of solar cleaning can have easy and cost efficient demineralized water with a extremely low initial investment.

Key Advantages of WSA with Real-Time Dosing

1. Initial Investment

Setting up the WSA real time dosing system requires only the product drum (2, 5 or 20 L), the dosing pump and the dynamic mixer. Installation is simple, initial investment is minimal, and logistics are straightforward. As a result, cleaning remains lean, agile, and cost‑efficient.

In contrast, RO/DI setups demand significant initial investment and high cost consumables (resin and/or membranes), pressure pumps, piping, tanks, and automation systems—far more expensive and complex.

2. Portability and Flexibility

WSA units are compact and easily deployed on any site. Whether drawing from a well, river, or tap, operators can treat water directly on location—ideal for trailer-mounted or mobile cleaning setups.

3. Consumables and Maintenance

Chemitek's system’s only consumable is the WSA —no membranes or resin beds to replace. This minimizes inventory, decreases maintenance time, and reduces recurring costs.

4. Water Efficiency

RO systems reject roughly 50% of input water as waste. The discarded volume grows with frequency of use—a problem in water‑scarce areas.

By contrast, WSA treatment uses 100% of water drawn for effective cleaning — no reject stream, no waste, and full utilization of resources.

5. Flow Rates and Productivity

With real‑time dosing, operators maintain full system flow, capable of handling up to 3 m³/hour (approx. 13 gpm). This flow supports rapid cleaning cycles without bottlenecks.

Purification systems, especially those using membranes, tend to limit flow rates, create delays, and can struggle under high-demand conditions.

6. Efficacy Across Hardness Levels

WSA adapts to varying source hardness through dosage adjustment. It remains highly effective across all hardness categories.

In very hard water regions, DI systems need frequent resin regeneration and replacement and often need the RO systems to pre‑treat the water, adding costs and requirement higher capacity equipment to be able to keep up with the flow requirements.

A Sustainable Future for Solar Panel Cleaning

WSA with real-time dosing offers a powerful alternative to conventional water purification systems. It brings together ease of use, affordability, and environmental responsibility, making it an attractive solution for solar asset owners and maintenance providers for all scales, from residential to utility.

By eliminating the need for expensive equipment, reducing water waste, and enabling cleaning with fewer resources, WSA supports more efficient O&M operations — helping ensure solar installations deliver the performance and return on investment expected from them.

WSA is also safe when used on floating PV. An independent ecotoxicity study by Portugal's Centre for Waste Valorization (CVR) confirmed that WSA poses no harm to aquatic ecosystems, even in Floating PV (FPV) installations. The study determined WSA remains safe at only 1 mm of water depth—an easy compliance for modern FPV systems.

So WSA with real‑time dosing offers a streamlined, cost-effective alternative to traditional RO/DI systems. Its advantages include:

• Low upfront cost and negligible maintenance overhead.
• Full site flexibility, ideal for mobile operations.
• Zero water waste, boosting sustainability.
• Consistent high flow, optimized for efficiency.
• Effective mineral control, regardless of water hardness.
• Proven environmental safety, even in floating photovoltaic setups.

This solution offers a balance between performance, cost and sustainability. The WSA with real-time dosing represents a convincing evolution in solar panel cleaning.

While water purification systems have their place, they are no longer the only viable option. ChemiTek’s Water Softening Agent with real-time dosing stands out as a smart, scalable, and sustainable choice for today’s solar industry.   

WSA with real-time dosing is not just an alternative — it's the smarter, more sustainable way forward for efficient and cost-effective solar panel cleaning