Commercial large-scale solar installations have cleaning problems that residential ones do not. Panels that are exposed to the elements need regular maintenance in order that the system may function properly. The Peak Solar Pro team cleaned a large commercial rooftop solar installation in Boston. With about 15,000 panels to clean that had a considerable amount of bird droppings and debris, this was no easy task. How did we do it?
How We Cleaned 15,000 Solar Panels
Once the bird droppings have dried on the glass, it can be a challenge to get them off. First, we applied a pre-spray using RMCS21 solar cleaning detergent in order to loosen the build-up. Then, using one of our robots, we removed the loosened bird droppings and dirt from large areas of the roof.
It was clear to see the difference between the cleaned and uncleaned areas. The process gives the panel a thorough cleaning without our team having to manually scrub thousands of individual panels. We love using this two-pronged approach for maximum cleaning.
Why Boston Commercial Solar Systems Need Regular Cleaning
Solar panels in the Boston area are subject to seasonal challenges including bird droppings, pollen, dust, leaves, and other airborne debris. Don’t count on the rain to clean your panels. Even with heavy rain, considerable dirt and dropping often remain. Bird activity can be a special issue on commercial roofs. Large nesting colonies, like the one that affected this system, can produce a large quantity of waste in a short period of time.
What is the impact on your Boston solar panel system? Heavy deposits can prevent sunlight from reaching certain areas of a panel and result in localized shading. How often should you have your panels cleaned? In the case of large solar installations, the cleaning schedule should be determined by a few factors. We considered the site conditions, the level of bird activity, the surrounding environment, and the amount of soiling.
What is the advantage of using robotic solar panel cleaning?
The manual cleaning of 15,000 panels would involve a great deal of labour and time. By using robotic equipment, our teams can work faster and more efficiently. We are able to clean large numbers of panels quickly and keep the cleaning process consistent throughout the entire installation. In the case of systems that are heavily soiled, we can combine the use of a pre-treatment with robotic cleaning to loosen dirt and droppings, before the robot does the cleaning.
Note: the cleaning method needed will vary according to the solar array’s condition, arrangement, access, and level of contamination. A large commercial system will need a different maintenance strategy from a smaller rooftop installation.
Commercial Solar Panel Cleaning in Boston, MA
Peak Solar Pro Cleaning offers both robotic and manual cleaning services for commercial rooftops, solar farms, and large-scale solar installations across New England. We are able to create a cleaning strategy taking into account the size of the array, the level of soiling, bird activity, access conditions, and the specific site circumstances.
If the solar system in the Boston area is suffering from bird droppings, pollen, dust, or some other kind of heavy buildup, call Peak Solar Pro Cleaning. Get a free estimate today at (617) 522-4046 or get started online here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How frequently do commercial solar panels need cleaning in Boston?
The frequency at which cleaning is carried out will depend on the environment of the site, the level of bird activity, the weather conditions, and the degree of soiling. In the case of systems that have a high level of bird activity, more frequent servicing will be required than is the case with other installations.
Can bird droppings harm solar panels?
Heavy bird droppings may block parts of the panel surface and cause localized shading. Cleaning the contamination that has built up helps to keep the panel surface clear.
Would robotic cleaning work for large solar arrays?
Yes, robotic cleaning is particularly useful in the case of large commercial and utility-scale arrays since it allows crews to clean large areas efficiently.
Does rain clean solar panels?
Rain can wash away some loose dirt, but it is not reliable in removing dried bird droppings, pollen residue, and the heavier deposits. Even so, commercial systems might still require professional cleaning.
Does Peak Solar Pro have the ability to clean large commercial solar systems?
Correct, Peak Solar Pro offers both robotic and manual cleaning services for commercial rooftops and large solar installations across New England.
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