Solar Panel Cleaning

The problem

Solar panels lose output as material accumulates on the glass. In this climate the biggest driver is simply the length of the dry season: from roughly May through October there's little rain to rinse anything off, so dust, pollen, and bird droppings build up uninterrupted for months.

Why it matters for output

Panels convert light that reaches the cell. Anything sitting on the glass — a film of dust, a pollen layer, bird droppings shading a section — reduces what gets through. How much you regain from cleaning depends entirely on how much has built up, which is why the end of the dry season is when it's most worth doing.

Our method

Soft brushes, filtered or deionized water, and no abrasive tools or harsh chemicals. Deionized water matters here: it dries without leaving the mineral spotting that ordinary tap water leaves behind on glass, which would partially defeat the point.

Timing it right

Late summer through early fall is the highest-value window — after months of accumulation, and before winter rains would otherwise do a partial and uneven job. Cleaning in February, right after the rains, is usually the least useful timing.

Roof access and safety

Most residential arrays are roof-mounted, which means this is roof work. We bring appropriate access equipment and we don't walk on tile or fragile roofing where it isn't safe to do so.