Solar Panel Cleaning, Rainham
We had a call from a lady in Rainham requesting us to come out to do a site visit to assess her solar panels and to offer her a quote to have them cleaned.
Upon our visit the customer informed us that she hadn’t gotten them cleaned in many years resulting in a build-up of lichen, algae and moss. They were not dirtiest solar panels we have come across but could certainly do with a clean as surface dirt on the panels will ultimately affect their total power intake from the sun. We presented the customer with a quote and explained step by step how we would carry out the work. She was happy to proceed with the solar panel clean along with her gutters to be cleared around her property. We booked in a date and returned in a weeks’ time to carry out the work.
When we arrived on site we got started setting up our mobile scaffold tower, we use for accessing the solar panels. The customer had mentioned on our initial site visit how she had some problematic areas on the roof where tiles were failing and she was concerned we may damage them further walking on the roof. However, to her pleasant surprised we explained the fact we have a no feet on roof policy and we work strictly from high level access equipment such as our mobile scaffold tower. Once we had our tower set up and ready to go, we first applied a pre chemical, one that is specifically formulated to be used on solar panels. We left that to dwell for a few minutes being mindful of it being a hot, sunny days and the chemical we were using states it should not be left to dry on the surface. So being mindful of this we only applied the chemical to the series of panels we were directly working on at the time. Once it had dwelled for a few minutes we then thoroughly scrubbed and rinsed the solar panels using a water fed pole with a flocked bristle brush attachment to ensure the solar panels were not at risk of damage or scratches. We repeated this step for all the solar panels leaving them moss, algae and lichen free and looking as good as they did when they were first installed.
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After
Lilypad Exterior Cleaning – Solar Panel Cleaning FAQs
Yes, they do. Over time, solar panels collect dirt, dust, bird droppings, pollen, and traffic pollution. This build-up blocks sunlight and can significantly reduce how much energy your panels generate. Regular cleaning helps keep them working at their best.
Quite a lot. Dirty panels can lose anywhere from 10–25% efficiency, and sometimes more if they’re heavily soiled. Cleaning restores maximum light exposure, meaning better energy output and better return on your investment.
You can, but it’s not recommended. Solar panels are often awkward to reach, and using the wrong equipment, detergents, or too much pressure can cause damage. There’s also the safety risk of working at height. Professional cleaning ensures the job is done safely and correctly.
For most domestic properties, we recommend once or twice a year. If your home is near trees, farmland, busy roads, or the coast, more frequent cleaning may be beneficial due to higher levels of dirt and debris.
At Lilypad Exterior Cleaning, we use specialist pure water systems and soft-bristle equipment designed specifically for solar panels. No harsh chemicals, no pressure damage — just safe, effective cleaning that protects your panels and improves performance.