It puts your output back up
Anything sitting on the glass is shade, and shade is lost generation. Clearing it is the cheapest way to get performance back.
Solar panel cleaning in Nelson, Richmond & Motueka
Dust, pollen, lichen and bird mess cleared off safely, without scratching the glass.
I clean residential solar panels across Richmond, Motueka, Māpua, Nelson and the wider Tasman district.
Dust, pollen, bird mess, lichen and the mineral streaking rain leaves behind all get removed, using methods that will not scratch the glass or void your system warranty. Quotes are free.
Scope
Why it is worth doing
It protects the investment
Lichen and moss get a grip in damp conditions and are far harder to shift once established. Regular cleaning stops that starting.
It is done safely
Roof work with water on a slick surface is a bad DIY afternoon. I work off a reach pole with the right gear, so it gets done without damage or drama.
It is cheap maintenance
Next to almost anything else on a house, a panel clean is a small job that pays for itself in generation.
Why it matters
Rain does not clean solar panels
This is the one most people are surprised by. Rain rinses loose dust off, but it also dries in place and leaves mineral streaking and tide marks behind, which keep shading the cells. Panels that look fine from the driveway are often doing less than you think.
Over time, dust, pollen, bird droppings and leaf litter build up on the glass and block sunlight. Even a thin, even film cuts into what the system generates, and because it happens gradually you rarely notice the decline.
I use a pure water system and a soft brush to lift the dirt without scratching the glass or getting water where it should not go. The panels get cleaned, the frames get checked, and you get the output back.
Worth knowing
What ends up on your panels
- Dust, pollen and road grime, which form an even film that quietly shades the whole array.
- Bird droppings and leaves, which stick hard and block cells outright.
- Moss and lichen, which take hold in damp shaded corners and cause long term damage.
- Mineral streaking and tide marks left behind as rainwater dries on the glass.
- Salt and dust build-up, which is worse the closer you are to open ground or the coast.
The kit
Pure water, no chemicals
I clean panels with a PureWash system, a long reach pole fed through a filter that takes the dissolved minerals out of the water before it ever reaches the glass. The systems are designed and made in New Zealand.
That matters because the minerals are the problem. Tap water dries and leaves the calcium and magnesium behind as the spotting and haze you can see from the ground, which is exactly what keeps shading the cells after a wash. Pure water dries off completely clean, so there is nothing to squeegee and nothing left on the panel.
It also means no detergent. Soap leaves a slightly tacky film that holds dust and gets panels dirty again faster than before they were washed, and the runoff goes into your garden. This is water and a soft brush, nothing else, so there is no residue on the glass and nothing harmful going into the ground.
The reach pole keeps my weight off the array as well, which is better for the panels and a good deal safer than walking a wet roof.
Reviews
What Tasman locals say
I highly recommend Daniel from Handy Property Care! He helped us with repairs around the house, including some roof work and fixing a shelf in the kitchen. He was efficient, friendly, and punctual, and his prices are reasonable.
We are very pleased with the work that Dan from Handy Property Care has done on our properties. His completed work is of a high standard, whether outside (garden maintenance) or indoors. He recently refurbished a bathroom that had extensive water damage, and again, superb workmanship.
Dan communicates clearly, turns up when he says he will, does a great job and charges appropriately. He's done long grass strimming for me twice now and I'd highly recommend him. I'll be back for all future tasks needing doing!
How often should solar panels be cleaned?
Once a year suits most homes around Tasman. Somewhere dusty, close to trees, or with birds using the roofline may want it more often. If your generation figures have drifted down without an obvious reason, that is usually the prompt.
Will rain not just clean them for me?
Not properly. Rain shifts loose dust but dries in place, leaving streaks and mineral deposits that carry on shading the panels. It is the main reason panels that look clean from the ground still underperform.
Will cleaning scratch the panels or void my warranty?
Not the way I do it. Panel glass scratches easily if you attack it with the wrong brush or a harsh chemical, so I use a pure water system and a soft brush and no cleaning products at all. If your installer has specific requirements, tell me and I will work to them.
Can I not just do it myself?
You can, but it is roof work on a wet, slippery surface, usually at height. That is the part worth paying someone for. Hosing panels from the ground on a hot day is also a good way to crack them.
What do you clean the panels with?
A PureWash pure water system. The water runs through a filter that strips the dissolved minerals out of it, then goes up a long reach pole to a soft brush. No detergent and no cleaning products, because pure water dries without leaving anything behind and soap leaves a film that attracts dust straight back.
How much difference does cleaning actually make?
It depends entirely on how dirty they are, so anyone quoting you a fixed percentage is guessing. What I can say is that anything blocking light costs you generation, and heavily soiled panels show an obvious difference afterwards.
Worth a read
Why tap water is the wrong thing to clean solar panels with
It is not the dirt that gets left behind, it is what is dissolved in the water you washed it off with.
Does cleaning solar panels actually make a difference?
Yes, but be wary of anyone quoting you a fixed percentage. Here is what really builds up on panels and why rain does not deal with it.
Also available
Other things I do
Gardening & Lawns
Mowing, edging, pruning, hedging, weeding and seasonal tidy-ups. One-off visits or a regular slot.
View serviceFencing & Gates
New timber fences, palings, pickets and post-and-rail, plus repairs, gates, staining and straightening.
View serviceGutters & Spouting
Gutter cleaning and unblocking, spouting repairs and replacement, and Gutter Guard installation.
View serviceRoof Maintenance
Moss and lichen treatment, roof washing, valley and gutter clearing, spouting and roof repairs, roof painting.
View serviceDecking & Outdoor
New decks, deck repairs and reboarding, steps, handrails, ramps, pergolas and water blasting.
View servicePainting & Staining
Interior and exterior painting, deck and furniture oiling, fence staining, roof painting and signage.
View serviceGeneral Repairs
The jobs on your list that never get done. Doors, hinges, weatherboards, shelving, roofs and ground repairs.
View serviceCarpentry & Fit-outs
Built-in joinery, bespoke furniture, container and van fit-outs, sheds, planters and raised beds.
View serviceFree quote
Want a price on this?
Tell me what you need and I'll come back to you. No obligation, and no call centre in between.