Solar Panel Cleaning
Bird droppings, moss or a layer of grime on your panels? Professional, safe cleaning with a system check included, across England, Wales and Scotland.
Cleaning you can rely on
- MCS registered
- NAPIT registered
- TrustMark approved
- Any installer’s system
- In-house engineers
Call us on 0800 156 0191
Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
Is this what you’re seeing?
Bird droppings on the panels that the rain doesn’t shift
Moss or lichen creeping in from the edges of the frames
A film of dirt, pollen or traffic grime, especially on a shallow roof
Salt residue, if you live near the coast
Leaves or debris collecting along the bottom edge of the panels
Lower generation than in the same month last year
What dirt actually costs you
It’s worth being honest about this. In most of the UK, regular rain keeps panels reasonably clean, and for many homes the loss from general grime is modest. Cleaning becomes worthwhile in particular situations:
Bird droppings
Unlike dust, droppings block light completely from the cells underneath. Because the cells in a panel are connected together, one shaded patch can pull down the output of more than just that spot, and it can create hotspots on the panel.
Moss and lichen
They take hold along the bottom edge of the frames, where water sits, and spread slowly across the glass.
Shallow roofs
On low-pitched roofs, rain doesn’t run off quickly enough to wash dirt away.
Coastal homes
Salt spray leaves a film that builds up over time.
Trees, farmland and busy roads
Pollen, sap, dust and traffic grime stick to the glass faster than rain removes them.
How we clean
We clean with purified water and soft brushes. Purified water has had its minerals removed, so it lifts dirt and dries without leaving spots or residue, and there’s no need for detergents. It’s gentle on the glass, the frames and the seals.
Why not a pressure washer — or a ladder?
A pressure washer can force water past the seals and into junction boxes and connectors, and can damage the coating on the glass. Many panel manufacturers’ cleaning instructions rule out high-pressure water and harsh chemicals for that reason. Abrasive pads and household cleaners can scratch the surface or leave a film that attracts more dirt.
Please don’t climb onto the roof to clean the panels yourself. Working at height is dangerous, and standing or kneeling on panels can crack the cells, even when the glass looks undamaged.
A system check with every clean
Every clean includes a check of the system while we’re there. We look over the panels, frames and visible cabling for damage, check the inverter for errors, and note the system’s generation. If anything needs attention, we’ll tell you what we’ve found and give you a clear written quote before any work starts.
Cleaning is a useful first step, but it isn’t a substitute for a proper health check. If your system hasn’t been looked at in a while, we’d recommend booking a full solar panel service and adding a clean to the same visit. We install and repair solar systems as well, so we know what problems to look out for.
If birds are the cause
If the droppings are coming from pigeons nesting under the panels, cleaning alone won’t solve it — they’ll be back. The nests need clearing and the gap under the panels needs proofing with mesh. We can do both.
Why L&R Renewables
Solar engineers, not just cleaners
Our own engineers do the work — we’re MCS and NAPIT registered — so a clean comes with a proper look at the system.
Any installer’s system
It doesn’t matter who fitted your panels.
Safe methods
Purified water and soft brushes — no pressure washers, no harsh chemicals.
England, Wales & Scotland
We cover England, Wales and Scotland.
Frequently asked questions
How often should solar panels be cleaned?
Many systems rarely need it. A good rule is to look at your panels and your generation figures once a year. If you can see droppings, moss or a build-up of grime, or your output is down on the same period last year, a clean is worth considering. Homes near the coast, near trees or with shallow roofs tend to need cleaning more often.
Won’t the rain clean my panels?
Rain washes off a lot of general dust, which is why many panels stay in decent condition on their own. It doesn’t reliably shift bird droppings, moss or lichen, and on shallow roofs it doesn’t run off quickly enough to carry dirt away.
Can I clean my solar panels myself?
If you can reach them safely from the ground with a soft brush and plain water, gentle cleaning is fine. Never climb onto the roof or stand on the panels, and don’t use a pressure washer, abrasive pads or household cleaning products.
Do you use chemicals?
No. We use purified water and soft brushes, which clean effectively without leaving residue or risking damage to the glass, frames or seals.
My installer has gone bust. Can you still clean and check my system?
Yes. We work on systems fitted by any installer, whether or not they’re still trading, and every clean includes a check of the system.
Pigeons are nesting under my panels. Will cleaning sort it?
Not on its own. Cleaning removes the mess, but the birds will return unless the nests are cleared and the space under the panels is proofed. We can clear, clean, check for damage and fit mesh proofing.
Related pages
Solar panel servicing
An annual health check that catches faults early.
Solar panel repair
Diagnosis and repair for the whole system, from any installer.
Solar inverter repair
Error codes, red lights and inverters that keep switching off.
Arrange a clean
Tell us about your system using the form below. Choose “Nothing obvious, I’d like it checked” as the first answer and mention cleaning in the “Anything else we should know?” box, and we’ll call you back to arrange a visit. Prefer to talk? Call 0800 156 0191, Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm.
Solar fault finder
What’s happening with your system?
What make is your inverter?
Roughly how old is the system?
Where is the property?
Leave your details and we’ll be in touch to book your initial visit.
We’ll ring you to talk it through and arrange a convenient time. Your answers above go with your enquiry, so you won’t have to repeat them.
We’ll talk through what’s happening and book your initial visit. If it’s urgent, call 0800 156 0191.
Rather talk now? Call 0800 156 0191 — free from UK landlines and mobiles.
You can also reach us through our contact page.