Professional solar panel cleaners use specialized equipment to ensure safety and effectiveness. Key tools include:
- Water-Fed Poles: Telescopic poles with soft brush heads that deliver purified water. These let technicians clean rooftop panels from the ground, eliminating the need to climb onto the roof. The purified water (often from a filtering tank) prevents any mineral spotting on the glass.
- Soft Brushes and Squeegees: Cleaners use soft-bristle brushes and plastic-blade squeegees. Checkatrade’s guide lists “a soft brush” and a plastic squeegee as essential toolscheckatrade.com. These tools gently remove dirt without scratching.
- Safety Gear: This is crucial. Cleaners should wear safety harnesses, helmets, and non-slip shoes. They often use roof anchors or cherry-pickers. Any company without proper fall protection is not a safe choice.
- Pure or Rainwater: As discussed, professionals carry filtered or collected rainwater. They may use in-line water deionizers to ensure no minerals touch the panels.
Image: Solar panel cleaning equipment: long water-fed pole with soft brush. Alt text: “Telescopic water-fed pole with soft brush attachment for solar panel cleaning.”
Importantly, true professionals never use high-pressure washers on panels. Softwashing UK explicitly warns that high-pressure water “will damage photovoltaic cells”softwashdoctors.com. Instead, crews rely on low-pressure techniques to protect the panel’s integrity.
By using the right gear and safety measures, trained cleaners leave panels spotless with no harm done. When hiring, verify that the team brings these tools and follows industry standards.
Call to Action: Always verify equipment and training before hiring. Choose UKSPCA-approved cleaners who use water-fed poles, soft brushes and proper fall protection. Find trusted professionals on our Find a Cleanerpage.
