Most UK homes with solar have somewhere between 8 and 16 panels on a pitched roof, often on the south, east or west elevation. Rain rinses off loose dust, but it leaves behind the sticky film from traffic, pollen and tree sap, and it does nothing to bird droppings or lichen that have bonded to the glass. On a lower-pitch roof or an extension with shallow panels, water sits longer and dirt collects along the bottom edge of each panel where it meets the frame.
A domestic clean uses purified water fed up a lightweight carbon pole to a soft brush. The cleaner scrubs each panel and frame, then rinses with the same water, which has had its minerals removed so it dries without spotting. Because the work is done from the ground or from a safe standing point, no one walks on the panels or the roof tiles, which avoids cracked glass, damaged cells and broken tiles. Most domestic cleans take between thirty minutes and two hours.
What is included
- Pure water wash of every panel on the roof, including the frames and the gap along the bottom edge where dirt builds up
- Soft-bristle brush agitation to lift traffic film, pollen, sap and light bird fouling
- Final rinse with purified water so the glass dries clear without wiping
- Cleaning from the ground with water-fed poles on most two and three-storey houses
- Panels on extensions, garages, porches and outbuildings cleaned in the same visit if requested
- A check from the ground for cracked glass, slipped panels, loose cables and signs of nesting
- Water and power supplied from the van, so an outside tap is not usually needed
Who it is for
- Homeowners whose panels have visibly dulled, streaked or marked since they were fitted
- Panels that have never been cleaned in the several years since installation
- Low-pitch roofs, dormers and extensions where rain does not run off well
- Homes near trees, farmland, building sites, busy roads or the coast
- Owners who have noticed generation falling compared with the same month in previous years
- Anyone who wants the panels cleaned without someone climbing on the roof
How much does it cost?
As a guide, a domestic clean usually costs £80 to £180 for a typical house, often worked out at about £4 to £15 per panel with a minimum charge. Three-storey homes, heavy soiling and split arrays on several roof faces tend to sit at the top of that range. See our full cost guide.
