Sunny days, clean panels: Millerton Lake

Solar makes a lot of sense in the foothills. The summers are long, hot and cloudless, and many homes have a south-facing roof or open ground for an array. The same sun-soaked setting also keeps panels dirty. Dry grass and bare dirt send dust into the air, spring oak pollen coats the glass in yellow, and ash can drift in when wildfires burn somewhere in the region. Birds add droppings that bake on in the heat. A thin layer of all that blocks light from reaching the cells. It adds up over a season.

We clean panels with soft brushes and purified water, usually on a water-fed pole. No harsh chemicals, no pressure washer and no scratching. Dust and droppings get wet first so they soften, stubborn spots get more soak time instead of hard scrubbing, and a final purified rinse dries without mineral spots. Larger lots often have ground-mount arrays as well as rooftop panels, and we clean both. Before we leave we check for leaves and nesting debris around and under the panels, and we tell you if we see birds moving in.

Heat matters here. We start early, as soon as 5am if that suits you, so the glass is cool when water touches it. Many foothill owners clean once or twice a year, and homes next to dry grass, dirt roads or lots of birds can use more. After the first visit we can suggest a rhythm. If you notice lower production on sunny days, a dirty array is an easy thing to rule out, though it is not always the cause. Pair it with gutters or windows and save a trip. We are licensed and insured, with a 100% satisfaction guarantee behind every cleaning.