Content marketing article for Solar Fix Network. Copywriting, editing and design by Mark Angus for Cadogan and Hall.

1. Solar Panel
Cleaning Services
www.solarfixnetwork.com.au

2. Why do you need to clean
your solar panels?

3. 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%

4. Our Solar Panel
Cleaning Service

5. 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:
ϐϐ cleaning your solar
modules
ϐϐ checking whether your
solar panels are being shaded
and for any other potential
obstructions
ϐϐ a visual inspection of the
module mounting components
ϐϐ the checking and logging
of inverter data
ϐϐ a summary report of your
service
Six-Month Solar Panel Cleaning Service

6. How Do We Clean
Solar Panels?

7. 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

8. 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 Cleaning
At 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:
ϐϐ inspecting modules for defects or
damage
ϐϐ checking the module mounting system
components for corrosion or damage and
verifying the tension of clamps and brackets
ϐϐ checking the array cabling for heat, uv,
vermin or mechanical damage and securing
of any loose or hanging cables
ϐϐ inspecting all cable connections and
checking the integrity of all conduits and
cable entry points
ϐϐ 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
ϐϐ checking string (array) voltages and
currents
ϐϐ checking that the system is earthed
ϐϐ measuring the integrity and performance
of each string of modules with use of IV
Curve test equipment
ϐϐ logging inverter readings and comparing
production to date against design (or
expectation)
ϐϐ 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

9. About Us
Solar 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 1552
admin@solarfixnetwork.com.au
www.solarfixnetwork.com.au