Measured, not claimed
On monitored systems we show you production before and after rather than quoting an industry average at you.
Exterior
Solar panel cleaning
Deionised water, soft brush, no detergent. Documented before and after output on monitored systems.
- From
- $8 to $14 per panel, sample
- Typical time
- Half a day for most residential arrays
Overview
What this actually involves
A solar module is a sheet of low-iron tempered glass with an anti-reflective coating, sitting at an angle that collects everything the air drops on it. On the coast that means salt aerosol, pine pollen in spring, and a fine soil film that rain smears rather than removes.
We clean arrays with deionised water and a soft nylon brush, no detergent at all. Detergent leaves a residue film that attracts soil faster than before, and the surfactants can damage anti-reflective coatings. Where a system has monitoring, we record production for the seven days before and after so you can see what the clean actually returned.
Scope
What is included
- Full array wash with deionised water under 10 ppm TDS
- Soft nylon brush, no abrasives and no detergent
- Junction box, conduit and rail inspection while we are up there
- Photographed report of cracked cells, delamination or hot-spot discolouration
- Production comparison for monitored systems, seven days either side
- Bird deterrent and critter guard condition check
Method
How the visit runs
Order matters. Most damage in this trade comes from doing the right steps in the wrong sequence.
Check the monitoring
Baseline production is recorded before we start so the result is measurable rather than anecdotal.
Early or late
Panels are washed cold. Spraying water on glass at 140 degrees F risks thermal shock, so we work before 10 am or after 5 pm.
Rinse, brush, rinse
A pre-rinse floats the grit off, the brush lifts the bonded film, and a deionised final rinse dries without spotting.
Inspect the hardware
Rails, clamps, conduit and the junction box get a visual check. Coastal fixings corrode and it is worth catching early.
Report
Photos, any defects found, and the production comparison once seven days have passed.
Why it is worth it
What you get out of it
No detergent residue
Deionised water dries clear and leaves nothing behind for the next pollen fall to stick to.
Defects found early
Cracked cells and corroded fixings are much cheaper to deal with before a warranty period ends.
Pricing factors
What moves the price
Every figure on this site is a sample. A real number follows a count on site.
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Panel count | Priced per panel. A typical Wilmington residential array is 18 to 30 modules. |
| Roof pitch and height | Steep pitch or third-storey arrays need rope or lift access. |
| Soiling type | Pollen rinses easily. Salt film and bird deposit need brush contact. |
| Monitoring | Systems with production data get the before and after report at no extra cost. |
Questions
About solar panel cleaning
Anything not covered here, call and ask. You will reach someone who has done the work.
It depends entirely on the site. On coastal arrays we typically see mid single-digit percentage recovery after a spring pollen season, and less after a clean winter. Any figure quoted before we see your data is a sample, not a promise.
Most manufacturers require soft brush and clean water and prohibit detergents and high pressure, which is exactly the method we use. Send us your O&M document and we will confirm before booking.
Most Wilmington arrays do well on twice a year, timed after pine pollen ends in May and again in late autumn. Arrays within a mile of open water often justify three.
Yes, and they are cheaper per panel because access is simple.
Often booked together
Related services
High-rise and high-access glass
Rope descent, boom lift and extended water-fed pole work on buildings above two storeys.
Residential window cleaning
Interior and exterior glass, sills, sashes and frames on houses from cottages to oceanfront builds.
Free estimate
Get a written figure for solar panel cleaning.
No sales visit. A technician counts the glass, checks the storey and the coating, and sends a written figure the same day.
Insured and IWCA. Certificates issued to your property manager on request.