It might be tempting to save money by cleaning your solar panels yourself, but DIY cleaning carries risks. The Energy Saving Trust advises that if panels are on a high or steep roof, homeowners should hire professionals rather than attempt it themselvesenergysavingtrust.org.uk. Working at height with a brush and hose can be very dangerous – one industry guide warns that “working at height in a wet and slippery environment can be incredibly dangerous” and recommends calling in a professional for roof workcheckatrade.com.
Beyond safety, proper cleaning technique matters. Professionals use soft brushes and purified water. If you clean improperly (for example with hard tap water, strong detergents, or abrasive tools), you can damage the panels or void the warrantysunsave.energy. Checkatrade notes that solar panel cleaning is a specialist job and recommends using a trained cleaner to “avoid personal and financial risk”checkatrade.com.
- Height and Access: Most solar arrays are on roofs. Falls from ladders or roofs are a serious hazard. Pros have the right harnesses and anchors to stay safe.
- Proper Timing and Method: Cleaning hot panels can cause cracking. A professional knows to clean early/late in the day and use only gentle, eco-friendly solutions.
Image: Homeowner on a ladder reaching up to clean rooftop solar panels. Alt text: “Person unsafely reaching solar panels on a ladder, illustrating DIY risk.”
In summary, DIY cleaning is not recommended unless your panels are very easily reachable. The upside of hiring a pro is peace of mind: they’ll do the job safely, use the right equipment, and protect your panels. As industry advice says, always consider a professional, especially for roof-mounted systemscheckatrade.comcheckatrade.com.
Image: A professional solar panel technician safely cleaning panels with a telescopic pole. Alt text:“Professional cleaning solar panels using a telescopic water-fed pole.”
Call to Action: Avoid the risks of DIY. Find a certified solar panel cleaner on our Find a Cleaner page to ensure your panels are cleaned safely and correctly.
