Solar Panel Cleaning Services

www.solarfixnetwork.com.au

Why do you need to clean your solar panels?

Being located on the roof and open to the elements, it’s inevitable that your solar panels won’t always remain clean, particularly if they are tilted at a relatively shallow angle, or there are trees and power lines nearby. This is because rain, dirt, dust, bird droppings, air pollution and other elements can easily find their way onto your panels, and create a build-up of stains, grime and debris.

And although a home solar energy system does not require a great deal of maintenance, it is nevertheless important that the surface of the panels remains as clean and residue-free as possible. If not, it means that sunlight cannot reach the solar cells and they absorb less energy, which in turn means that they produce less electricity.

Dirty solar panels, or solar clouding as it is sometimes called, is a problem that only becomes worse the longer you leave it, and solar panels that aren’t clean don’t operate at maximum efficiency. Estimates vary, but analysts suggest that dirt and other debris on the surface of your solar panels can affect their operating efficiency by as much as 40%

Therefore, it’s important to check regularly that your solar panels are as clean as possible and performing at their optimum, so that you can be sure you’re getting the most from your investment. In addition, regular cleaning may also form a part of your warranty cover.

Reduced solar panel output means that you may not produce enough energy to run your home and then still have to draw power from the grid. This means that you won’t experience the drop in energy bills you were expecting, because not only are you still using mains electricity but you’re not feeding energy back to the grid and so aren’t earning any benefit from your feed-in tariff either.

In either case, your dirty solar panels are costing you money!

your solar panels need to be as clean as possible to work at optimum efficiency and

so that the solar cells can absorb energy and produce maximum electricity

Dirt, grime and dust on yoiur solar panels can reduce their operating efficiency by as much

as 40%

Our Solar Panel Cleaning Service

www.solarfixnetwork.com.au

We offer a regular six-month solar panel cleaning service designed to keep your solar panels clean and working efficiently. This includes:

ϐ cleaning your solar modules

ϐ checking whether your solar panels are being shaded and for any other potential obstructions

ϐ a visual inspection of the module mounting components

ϐ the checking and logging of inverter data

ϐ a summary report of your service

Six-Month Solar Panel Cleaning Service

How Do We Clean Solar Panels?

Solar panels need to be cleaned by experienced and trained professionals. There are a number of reasons for this. For instance, leaf litter, bird droppings and pollution that have settled on your panels can’t simply be removed with soap and water. At the same time, some cleaning products can in fact cause damage to your panels and may in some cases void your warranty. Furthermore, working on rooftops can be a hazardous activity if you don’t have the right equipment and know-how.

At Solar Fix Network, because we are solar panel cleaning specialists, we use eco-friendly materials and technology to clean your solar panels, and it is done in a completely safe, environmentally sound manner.

We use purified water that contains no harmful chemicals or detergents, and so your rainwater collection and supply will not be affected, while rubber seals and glass panels are not damaged by

the use of chemicals. In addition, throughout the cleaning process, we use minimal water.

When cleaning, we use gentle, environmentally-friendly telescopic reach-and-wash cleaning poles and brushes and these ensure that no spots, harmful residues or chemicals are left behind after cleaning. Your solar panels are left thoroughly clean and with no calcium or salt and mineral deposits remaining, while our use of scratch-free cleaning technology means the glass on your panels remains pristine.

our cleaning methods are environmentally friendly and ensure that your solar panels are

free from dirt, residue and scratches

Using soap and water or chemical cleaning agents, can actually

cause damage to your solat panels

The SA Government has stipulated that all owners of PV solar systems in the state are required to ensure that solar panels are inspected within five years of installation, and every subsequent five years. The regulations also state that this work is required to be carried out by an appropriately qualified and licensed tradesperson.

We are specialists in carrying out the requisite inspections in order to satisfy these important guidelines, and can carry out maintenance and a system overhaul at the same time.

More Than Just Solar Panel CleaningAt Solar Fix Network, we offer more than just a solar panel cleaning service:

If your warranty conditions don’t specify a time frame within which your solar panels should be inspected and cleaned, we highly recommend that you don’t leave it any longer than two years.

Our experienced and skilled staff are able to identify and rectify issues before they become serious and costly problems. When we complete a Two-Year Maintenance Test and Check, we issue a new Cetificate of Compliance.

Our Two-year Maintenance Test and Check service includes:

ϐ inspecting modules for defects or damage

ϐ checking the module mounting system components for corrosion or damage and verifying the tension of clamps and brackets

ϐ checking the array cabling for heat, uv, vermin or mechanical damage and securing of any loose or hanging cables

ϐ inspecting all cable connections and checking the integrity of all conduits and cable entry points

ϐ checking the integrity and operation of rooftop and wall DC isolators and the AC solar main switch, and checking that your system is correctly labelled

ϐ checking string (array) voltages and currents

ϐ checking that the system is earthed ϐ measuring the integrity and performance

of each string of modules with use of IV Curve test equipment

ϐ logging inverter readings and comparing production to date against design (or expectation)

ϐ providing a detailed report of the system inspection, including a list of actions taken, system measurements, and any issues that may require further action.

Two-Year Solar Panel Maintenance Test and Check

Five-Year System Overhaul

About UsSolar Fix Network is a group of independent businesses that have come together to pool their expertise, knowledge and abilities to deliver high quality monitoring, maintenance, analysis, inspection and repair services for residential and commercial PV solar installations.

We specialise in providing the full range of cleaning and maintenance services and our staff are qualified and licensed to carry out mandatory SA Power Networks compliance inspections. We can meet your solar panel maintenance, servicing and repair needs wherever you are in South Australia.

Call us on (08) 8185 1552admin@solarfixnetwork.com.au

www.solarfixnetwork.com.au