Suburban Shine on a roof — solar panel access view
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Solar Panel Cleaning

Restore output safely — from the ground, with pure water, no chemicals.

What we do

Dust, pollen, bird droppings, and bushfire ash can cut a solar array's output by 15-25% before you even notice. We clean panels safely from the ground using a soft-bristle brush head and deionised water, restoring efficiency without chemicals, high pressure, or damage to the anti-reflective coating. Where ground access isn't possible, we work from the gutter line with full fall-protection, never standing on the panels themselves.

The kit

Equipment we use on every job.

Photo: solar-rated brush head

Soft-Bristle Solar Brush

Specifically rated for PV anti-reflective coatings. Stiff enough to lift bird droppings, soft enough that it won't scratch or scuff the panel surface.

Photo: water-fed pole reaching the array

Deionised Water + Water-Fed Pole

Same DI setup as window work — minerals stripped out, so nothing dries on the panel that would re-block light. No detergents, ever (residue cuts output).

Photo: harness + anchor kit on the roof line

Roof Fall-Protection Kit

Anchor + harness + lanyard system used when ground access cannot reach the full array. Compliant with WHS height regulations. We never walk on panels.

Photo: phone showing inverter app reading

Output Notes

Where you have an inverter app, we encourage a before/after output read so you can see the lift. Typical post-clean uplift is 8-20% in the first week.

How it goes

The process, step by step.

/ 01

Roof + array assessment

Before climbing or touching anything, we assess the array layout, identify any cracked panels, and confirm access points. Cracked panels are flagged not cleaned.

/ 02

Ground-first attempt

We try every job from the ground first — safer, faster, and often gets 100% coverage on single-storey homes. Only if necessary do we work from the gutter line.

/ 03

DI water + soft brush wash

Soft-bristle agitation followed by a generous pure-water rinse. No detergent, no chemicals — the only thing left on the panel is clean glass.

/ 04

Sign-off + output check

A walk-around to confirm visual finish. If you have an inverter app, we encourage a before/after read in the same week to see the output lift.

On the job

From a recent solar panel cleaning job.

Photo: dirty array — before
Before — pollen + bird droppings
Photo: ground-level wash in progress
Ground-level wash where possible
Photo: clean array — after
After — back to manufacturer spec
Photo: inverter app showing recovered output
Output recovery, week after
Common questions

What people ask before booking.

How often should I clean my panels?

In Canberra, once every 12-18 months is typical. More often if you are near eucalypts (sap), under flight paths, or had a heavy bushfire-smoke season.

Will it void my panel warranty?

No — the opposite. Most warranties require regular cleaning. We use the manufacturer-approved methods (pure water, soft brush, no high pressure, no chemicals) so you stay covered.

Can I just hose them off myself?

Tap-water hosing puts mineral spots back on the panel as it dries — actually reducing output by leaving a thin film. Pure water is what makes the difference.

Get a Quote for Solar Panel Cleaning

Tell us about your home and we'll send a clear, no-obligation quote — usually same day.

Get a Free Quote