[Hilton]

We have been approached by a Solar Panel company to discuss the possibility of cleaning fitted solar panels....

We know diddly squat about the things but as an add on I can see the possibilities and the opportunities, is anyone at it, if so what kind of training is there out there ...

They fit them by the shed load so could be a nice earner but again how to price it and what equipment is required needs some research before we go any further..if indeed we do.

[gwrightson]

Hilton.

I will ask a friend of mine this weekend for some more info on the subject, i will be on the golf course with him so shall pose the question.

He owns a company that supplys and fits solar panels, so i would have thought he should have some answers

Geoff

[gr cleaning solutions]

Need a water fed poll system , pure water

[John Kelly]

Lots of window cleaners are doing them using pure water.

[Steve Gunn]

I've done 1-2 houses you need to go on the window cleaning section

[Robin Ray]

I do them, and you need a water fed pole system. Because they normally have a self cleaning coating you can't use any harsh chemicals so if you really need to some thing, Glass Gleam 4 diluted in a hand sprayer is normally ok. For quite a few panels you will need to get up on the roof and clean them from the ridge because of the position they are fitted.

Unless you plan on taking on window cleaning work as well the investment in the equipment will be wasted IMO, you may be better off subbing the work out but then the margins will be very small.

[Hilton]

I do them, and you need a water fed pole system. Because they normally have a self cleaning coating you can't use any harsh chemicals so if you really need to some thing, Glass Gleam 4 diluted in a hand sprayer is normally ok. For quite a few panels you will need to get up on the roof and clean them from the ridge because of the position they are fitted.

Unless you plan on taking on window cleaning work as well the investment in the equipment will be wasted IMO, you may be better off subbing the work out but then the margins will be very small.

That was my initial thoughts,

But they are talking about a lot and want to give the first year clean free to their clients as part of the package which is where we would come in...so are expecting a big take up, plus apparantly these self cleaning ones do not really self clean very well so the panels have to be cleaned to fully appreciate the benefits they bring.

Certainly not thinking about window cleaning holds no appeal at all.

Many thanks for the comments all of you and Geoff, clearly the best place to do business...

[gwrightson]

Now I am by no means an expert on window cleaning infact dont know the first thing about it, having said that I was asked a cple of weeks ago if I knew anybody who did contract window cleaning using a pole system, the reason been the person posing the question has a cleaning business and i do any c/c work that comes his way.

At the moment he uses a local company to clean the windows for his clients , most of which entail offices blocks etc requiring pole system, the crux of the matter is , for various reasons he is not at all happy with them so looking for sombody else. I mentioned it to a good friend of mine who cleans windows traditional methods, he suggested that we both look at the idea of taking these on and invest in a pole system.

To be honest , i dont really want to go down this route, but have toyed with the idea. My question to any experienced windies, how much is a decent sytem ? what sort of height can be reached ?  and most importantly is it worth the investment bearing in mind solar panels may well be a niche ?
Or am i wasting my time considering it ?

geoff

[JandS]

Spoke to the lad round the corner who has
a pole system and he reckons you can get
a decent set up for £1000.

[JandS]

Looked at WCW site and it's probably nearer
£1500 with them.
You may be able to get it cheaper elsewhere though.

[Robin Ray]

£1500 will get you a very basic setup and thats if you are DIY minded. If you are looking at a turn key system you will have to pay more. Some good sites to get an idea of prices are Gardiner Pole Systems, Pure Freedom, Ionics, Brodex, Facelift, and Window cleaning warehouse. Bear in mind not all systems and poles are alike its a bit like comparing spotting machines and truckmounts.

In terms of height you can operate up to 80ft with a water fed pole.

Solar panel cleaning is niche it a bit like curtain cleaning to the carpet cleaning its a good add on service but not bread and butter.

It would be worth asking these questions on the window cleaning section you will get loads of replies, but don't be surprise if you get the kind of answers you get here when a windie wants to add carpet cleaning to their window cleaning service.

[gwrightson]

thanks for replys ,

interesting !!! i shall make a few inquiries and a little research,

............ and yes i can understand some of the replies i may get from windies 

Geoff

[telfordwindowclnr]

As you may imagine, there is so much I could say about this, so I'll try to be brief.

First off though, solar panel cleaning (spc) is not window cleaning. Yes, some of the kit is the same, but the health & safety implications of putting water near live electricity is a completely different ball game to window cleaning. Just because window cleaners have the tools, does not mean they can clean solar panels. I own a screwdriver set, but could not safely rewire a house.

I have researched spc for nearly five years in the American and German marketplaces and am well ahead of the competition. We have exclusivity contracts with British Gas, Anesco and a number of installers, operations and maintenance companies and procurement companies. We will have cleaned over 80,000 panels during 2013 alone. I don't think there is any other company in the UK cleaning panels in that sort of volume yet.

Check out our blog on our spc website to see examples of some of the jobs we do. Here is an example: http://www.solar-panel-cleaners.com/blog/solar-panel-cleaning-hampshire-cosmetics/

We will be cleaning the 4.1 MW installation at the Toyota plant in June.

We are working with professors at Glyndwr University to research the scientific benefits of spc. This will be the UK's first study of its kind.

Regarding spc training, there is none. People are claiming to be 'fully trained' solar panel cleaners, but in truth, they are not. How do I know? We are working with a different university in order to put together the UK's first spc training course.

If you wish to pursue this alone, that of course is great. But you will need to put the hours in. We know exactly what multi-MW sites require for cleaning. We know the H & S implications of such an undertaking. We know how to price the jobs. We know how long they will take. We have the man power. Literally, it has taken years to research and prepare for this, but we know what we are doing. You don't get an exclusivity contract with British Gas without knowing what you are on about.

I'd be happy to work with you and cut you in on work that you may be able to bring our way. This has the potential to run into thousands of pounds for very little work on your behalf. We already do this and also we sub this kind of work out to others. Everything can be put in writing for security on both sides.

If you have any questions, please feel free to fire away or call me on m mobile of you prefer. Thank you. Steve.

[Robin Ray]

That was an interesting post Steve. Apart from the electrical, side of things what is the difference in cleaning solar panels over other glazed surfaces? What differences are there in the equipment needed?

[Hilton]

Hi Steve

Very interesting read, you are to be congratulated on your enthusiasm and drive in being at what is obviously at the forefront of this growing new market.You  clearly are the man to talk to on this subject.

I am pleased you have confirmed this is not window cleaning and have separated the two which is pretty much why I did not post on that section.

There it's an obvious thought that springs to mind which I am sure you have considered and is probably a conversation for another day.

I don't want to get ahead of myself here,I have only had a brief conversation with this company and just wanted some initial thoughts from those more qualified.

When I speak to them again it may be worth mentioning what you have posted here as it could be they have not considered what exactly is involved..

If it looks promising and I feel worth taking forward I will definitely be in touch.
  

[JandS]

Putting water near electricity ...there outside in the open.
Your picture on the website shows cleaning them with WFP.

[telfordwindowclnr]

Putting water near electricity ...there outside in the open.
Your picture on the website shows cleaning them with WFP.

Like I said, just because some window cleaning equipment is used, does not mean window cleaners can do it safely. A picture does not explain everything about the process as a whole.
You are wondering about the rain on them I guess?

[JandS]

In a nutshell yes.

[telfordwindowclnr]

In a nutshell yes.

I won't say on a public forum because I have quite a strong USP on this at the moment, but there are reasons why the rain can fall and the array be safe and cleaning them can make it unsafe. That is one of many issues which took me a long time to research. It is the research that has got me to where I am now. The health and safety side of the job is very important and cannot be learned overnight.

[telfordwindowclnr]

I do them, and you need a water fed pole system. Because they normally have a self cleaning coating you can't use any harsh chemicals so if you really need to some thing, Glass Gleam 4 diluted in a hand sprayer is normally ok. For quite a few panels you will need to get up on the roof and clean them from the ridge because of the position they are fitted.

Unless you plan on taking on window cleaning work as well the investment in the equipment will be wasted IMO, you may be better off subbing the work out but then the margins will be very small.

Virtually all panels are hydrophobically coated but they are not self cleaning.