Clean Solar Panels Means Minimum Power Bill

 What We Do
At Extra Hand Solar Clean, solar panel cleaning is our specialty. Did you know a clean of solar panels can improve power output by up to 40% from one day to the next?

Benefits
Planned and timely cleaning and inspection of solar panels is crucial to maintaining their efficiency and longevity for maximum return on investment. Algae, dirt, bird droppings, and other debris can accumulate on the surfaces of solar panels, significantly reducing their ability to capture sunlight to generate energy, costing you money.

To Clean or Not to Clean
Laying panels flat at 90 degrees to the sun gives maximum solar power generation. The compromise is these panels will need more regular cleaning and inspection. Angling panels at or above 15 degrees will provide some natural rinsing effect, but will NOT stop algae from growing, nor dislodge dried on dirt. The panels will still be subject to other dirt and debris too, specific to your local area, not to mention damage caused by all creatures great and small!

Should I Have a Physical Inspection Done?
Panels can have electrical and mechanical failures as well in the form of cracks caused by vibration and hot spots. Connections can have shorts with resultant sparks or heat, which can be indicated by visible burn marks on cabling, roof mounted isolation switches and junction box housings. Not all parts of a physical inspection need to be performed by a licenced electrician, i.e. loose mounting bolts.

A recent fire at Sydney Aquatic Centre on May 13, 2024, is an example of things that can go wrong, and may have been caused by some of the issues explored here. The actual cause has not been disclosed publicly so we can only guess.

The structure of supporting mounts can be faulty, bolts and nuts can come loose due to lower quality workmanship or the use of inferior fasteners. Building movement and vibration may also cause damage to a mount if under engineered. In an extreme case, panels may dislodge and slide off or be propelled from the roof by high winds.

How Long Will My System Last
This varies greatly, depending on the quality of the panel material and if it was installed correctly.

Longevity is also associated with basic maintenance, this includes cleaning. Even if installed correctly, your panels may need changing in less than 10 years if algae takes hold. If you never clean your panels, you are simply accelerating the failure process by allowing contaminants to attack the panel.

How Do We Clean Your Solar Panels
We use sophisticated portable multistage water filtration systems, to provide the best possible cleaning result with PURE water, using NO chemicals, NO pressure and No abrasives. The pure water is pumped into rotary or static brush heads, allowing us to clean panels quickly and thoroughly, without marks or staining.

*Solar panel manufacturers do not condone the use of detergents, chemicals, pressure and abrasives. Doing so WILL void warranties. We follow manufacturers guidlines and procedures.

Environment & Chemical Safety
We look after the environment by using the above technology, ensuring no chemicals or detergents are involved in the process. This also has the added benefit of a safer work environment for our staff due to no risk of chemical exposure during this aspect of their work.

Insurances, Safety & Warranty
Extra Hand Solar Clean is fully insured for Public Liability* ($20 million) and fully insured for Workers Compensation. All workers receive safety training at recognised registered training organisations (RTOs), as well as being subjected to inhouse safety policies and procedures. A popular RTO course we send our workers to is Work Safely at Heights, this ensures we know when, where and how to use things like safety harnesses and ladders.

*Extra Hand Solar Clean will issue a full Tax Invoice at completion of works as your PROOF OF PURCHASE. In the extremely unlikely event of any claims related to quality of work or damage to property, there can be no dispute or doubt as to who is responsible, irrespective of whether you pay cash or any another way. We stand by our work.

How Much Will a Solar Clean Cost
As can be seen from the video/s and still photograph on this site, solar panels can be cleaned from ground level, from roof top or by using mobile equipment and ladders. Where we go above ground level, this will incur extra man hours and the requirement of extra devices and/or equipment such as boom, scaffolds, platform ladders and/or harnesses.

We avoid physically standing on the roof if unsure of its structural integrity, in those circumstances we would use poles to clean from a safe location off the roof, such as an elevated work platform. Adequate clearance for free movement is required to allow these items to be used. Hire equipment such as mobile work platforms are of additional cost where needed.

In summary, cost will vary from site to site and is dependent on your individual properties level of access to the solar panels. Please consider this when providing us with information.

The image to the left shows solar panels which had not been cleaned since new and were being damaged by lichen. The results speak for themselves.

See our equipment in action – we only use the best so you get the best results. Our advanced equipment is specifically designed to clean solar panels efficiently and effectively, ensuring that your investment in solar energy pays off in the long run.

Our equipment is designed to remove all types of debris, including dust, bird droppings, and other contaminants that can accumulate on the surface of solar panels. By keeping your panels clean, we help maximise their ability to capture sunlight and generate energy, which directly translates to increased energy output and cost savings. Regular cleaning also prevents long-term damage and extends the lifespan of your solar panels, protecting your investment and ensuring reliable energy production for years to come.