Professional Solar Panel Cleaning in Bolton

Two kinds of array, one set of problems

Bolton has a lot of domestic solar on the estates around Horwich, Westhoughton, Farnworth and Harwood, and a growing amount of commercial solar on the big roofs at Logistics North and the industrial estates off the M61. Both lose output for the same reasons, just at different scales.

The moorland weather keeps roofs damp, which grows moss on the tiles, which ends up on the bottom frame of the array. Traffic film off the M61 adds a greasy layer that rain cannot shift. And on the larger commercial roofs, bird mess is usually the biggest single factor.

Why a small amount of dirt costs a lot

Panels are wired in strings and the cells within a panel are grouped, so shading a small area badly has an effect out of all proportion to its size. A band of moss along the bottom edge or a few large bird droppings can knock out far more generation than the same amount of general dust spread evenly.

That is why the glass not looking especially dirty from the ground tells you very little about what the array is actually producing.

The cleaning method

Purified, deionised water and a soft brush on a pole, worked from the ground. No chemicals, no detergents, no pressure washing, nobody walking on panels. Pure water dries without spotting because there is nothing in it to leave behind.

This is what the manufacturers specify in their maintenance guidance, and it is the only approach that does not risk the seals or the anti-reflective coating.

Commercial arrays at Logistics North and beyond

For a warehouse array, an annual clean is straightforward arithmetic. A few per cent of a large annual generation figure comfortably exceeds the cost of the visit, and that is before you count the panels being dragged down by bird mess.

Commercial work is planned around the site, with RAMS and insurance documents issued in advance, and it can run outside operating hours where that suits you better. See commercial cleaning in Bolton.

Roof moss and birds

On a domestic roof carrying moss, do the roof cleaning in Bolton and the panels together, or the moss will be back on the array within a season. Clear the gutter underneath at the same time, because that is where it all collects.

If pigeons have got under the panels, proof the perimeter with mesh once it is clean. It is warm and dry under there and they will not leave on their own.

How often

Annually for most arrays in Bolton. Twice a year under trees, near open country where birds are a problem, or on commercial roofs where the generation figures justify it. Late winter or early spring is the best time for a single clean.

Pricing

Domestic pricing is based on panel count, roof height and access, and you can have a fixed price the same day from a photo and a postcode. Commercial arrays are surveyed first, then quoted as a fixed price with the scope written down.

What we check and report

We tell you what we find: cracked or clouded glass, movement on the rails, failed proofing, vegetation shading the array, and how blocked the gutter underneath has become. On commercial roofs we will also flag ponding and outlet blockages near the array while we are there.

Electrical equipment is for your installer or an electrician. We do not open or touch inverters and isolators.

Questions we get asked

Is it safe for the panels? Yes, when it is pure water and a soft brush. The things that damage panels are pressure washing, chemical cleaners and people standing on them.

How often is really necessary? Once a year for most Bolton roofs. Twice where trees or birds are involved, and annually as a minimum on any commercial array where the generation figures are worth money.

Do you clean bird proofing as well? Yes, and if there is none and you need it, we will quote for mesh at the same time.