Most people booking a solar panel clean never see more than the finished result, someone arrives, works on the roof for a while, and leaves with the panels looking noticeably cleaner. Here’s what actually happens in between, start to finish.
Before We Even Get on the Roof
Every job starts with a look at the system from the ground: panel count, roof pitch and access points, and anything that might affect the clean — overhanging branches, power lines, a second-story section that needs different access than a single-story one. This is also when weather matters more than people expect: cleaning happens early morning or evening, never in full midday sun, because cold water on hot glass risks thermal shock.
The Inspection
Before any water touches the panels, every panel gets a visual check — for cracking, discolouration, loose mounting, or anything that looks like existing damage. This matters for two reasons: it protects the customer (any pre-existing issue gets flagged before we start, not blamed on the clean afterward) and it changes how the job gets approached if something’s already compromised.
The Clean Itself
This is the part people picture, but the detail is in the restraint: a soft, non-abrasive brush, purified water, and straight-line strokes rather than scrubbing. No detergents, no pressure washer, no shortcuts. The purified water matters as much as the brush — tap water leaves mineral spotting as it dries, which can look worse than the dirt it replaced.
What We’re Checking For That You’d Never See From the Ground
We are checking for anything from bird droppings, leaves and sticks stuck on the panels to dust from construction sites near by to grime and mold from the panels not getting a good clean for a while.
Wrapping Up
Every panel gets a full rinse to remove loosened grime before it has a chance to dry back onto the surface, then a check that nothing’s been missed. Before-and-after photos get taken on every job — not just for the customer’s benefit, but as our own record of the work done.
FAQs
How long does a solar panel clean actually take?
Setup is 15 minutes and 20 panels generally takes 1 hour.
Do you need access inside my house?
No — the entire job happens on the roof and from the ground; there’s no need for access inside the property.
What happens if you find damage during the inspection?
Any existing damage gets flagged and photographed before we start, and discussed with you directly rather than assumed to be something we caused.
Curious what it actually looks like on your roof? Get a free quote and see for yourself.
