Stock image of rooftop solar panels being cleaned with a long-handled brush

Professional Solar Panel Cleaning in Barry & Surrounding Areas

Remove the dirt, moss and droppings that block light from your panels, cleaned by solar installers who understand the system.

12 years

specialist solar experience

25 years

in the construction industry

2-year

workmanship warranty

£2m

public liability insurance

MCS · NAPIT

TrustMark · RECC

Why Clean Panels Generate More

Solar panels need light to reach the cells. Over time, dirt, traffic film, pollen, moss, lichen and bird droppings build up on the glass and reduce how much light gets through. Rain helps, but it rarely removes stubborn grime or droppings on its own.

Cleaning suits owners who can see dirt or droppings on their panels, have noticed generation slipping, live near busy roads, trees, farmland or the coast, or have low-tilt panels where dirt settles more easily.

A clean is worth considering when output has dropped without an obvious fault, when droppings or moss are visible, or alongside a service or bird proofing visit.

Panels sit on a roof and form part of a live electrical system. Harsh chemicals, abrasive tools or high-pressure washing can damage the glass or seals. Cleaning should use suitable access arrangements and methods consistent with panel manufacturer guidance.

What Dirty Panels Cost You

Dirt reduces output gradually, so the loss is easy to miss.

Lost generation

Anything blocking light reduces the power your panels produce.

Hot spots

Concentrated dirt or droppings on part of a panel can cause uneven heating.

Moss and lichen spread

Left alone, growth around frames becomes harder to remove.

Damage from DIY cleaning

Abrasive tools, chemicals or pressure washers can harm panels.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Using pressure washers or harsh chemicals on panels.
  • Climbing onto the roof without proper access equipment.
  • Assuming rain will keep panels clean.
  • Cleaning without checking for underlying faults or bird problems.

How the Job Works

  1. 1

    Enquiry

    Tell us about your panels and what you can see on them.

  2. 2

    Assessment

    We check access, the type of soiling and the condition of the array.

  3. 3

    Individual quote

    You receive a price for your system.

  4. 4

    Cleaning

    Panels are cleaned with methods that are safe for the glass and seals.

  5. 5

    Check

    We look over the system and let you know if we spot any other issues.

What You Get

More light to the cells

Removing surface dirt can improve light reaching the cells; results depend on the cause of low generation.

Panel-safe methods

Cleaning methods must follow panel manufacturer guidance.

Safety

No need for you to go anywhere near the roof.

Problems spotted early

Solar installers notice damage, bird activity and faults.

Insured

£2m public liability insurance.

One point of contact

Cleaning, servicing and repairs from the same team.

Solar Panel Cleaning in Detail

How and where your panels are installed affects how quickly they get dirty.

Types of soiling

Common culprits include general grime, traffic film near busy roads, pollen, moss and lichen around frames, and bird droppings. Droppings are particularly damaging to output because they block light completely where they land.

Location matters

Coastal homes in Barry, Porthcawl and Swansea can see salt residue. Homes near trees, farmland or main roads in Cardiff, Newport and the valleys often collect more dirt and organic growth.

Cleaning and bird proofing together

If droppings are a recurring problem, birds may be nesting under your panels. Combining cleaning with suitable bird proofing may reduce recurring bird-related debris.

Cleaning versus servicing

Cleaning restores light to the panels. Servicing checks the electrical side, inverter and battery. Cleaning and servicing can be discussed together when requesting a quote.

Commercial arrays

Larger arrays on business premises are assessed and quoted individually.

Why not use a pressure washer?

High-pressure water can force moisture into seals and junction boxes and damage the surface of the glass. Harsh chemicals and abrasive brushes can leave residue or scratches that reduce performance. Panels should be cleaned with methods designed for solar glass.

Signs your panels need cleaning

Visible dirt, moss around the frames, streaks or bird droppings on the glass, and generation lower than the same time last year are all signs a clean may help. Ground-level photos or your monitoring figures are useful to share when you enquire.

Low-tilt and flat-roof panels

Panels fitted at a shallow angle do not shed rain and dirt as easily as steeper ones, so they often need cleaning more often.

Residential and commercial cleaning

Domestic arrays are usually on pitched roofs and need safe access equipment to reach. Commercial arrays can be much larger and sit on flat or industrial roofs, where dirt can settle more quickly. Each is assessed and quoted individually.

Because we install and repair solar systems, a cleaning visit may also reveal visible issues, such as cracked glass, loose cabling or signs of birds nesting underneath, and we will let you know if we see them.

Where we work

We are based at Cardiff House in Barry and carry out solar panel cleaning across South Wales, the South West of England and the West Midlands border, including Barry, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Porthcawl, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Brecon, Bristol, Bath, Gloucester, Hereford. See all the areas we cover.

Our Solar and Construction Experience

Complete Solar Services Ltd was set up by Sam Hayes about three years ago. Sam has 12 years specialising in solar and 25 years in the construction industry. Each solar panel cleaning job needs assessment of the relevant roof and electrical requirements.

The business is MCS certified, TrustMark endorsed, RECC approved and NAPIT registered. MCS is the recognised standard for small-scale renewable installations in the UK. TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality scheme for work in and around the home. RECC is a consumer code for renewable energy, and NAPIT registration covers the electrical side. We also carry £2m public liability insurance.

We primarily work with Fox batteries and inverters. Each job is quoted individually, with a 2-year workmanship warranty on our work. Any additional faults or upgrade options should be assessed and included in the agreed scope before work proceeds. System suitability, the work involved and visit arrangements depend on your property.

What to Expect From Your Quote

  • A price for your property and your needs only. We do not sell fixed packages or standard rates.
  • A plain explanation of what we recommend and why, so you can compare quotes properly.
  • No work goes ahead without your agreement.
  • Payment by bank transfer or credit/debit card.
  • A 2-year workmanship warranty on the work we carry out.
  • Contact during our working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm.

To help us prepare a quote, tell us your postcode, a little about your property and anything you already know about your existing system. You can request a solar service quote or call 07301 504889.

Solar Panel Cleaning FAQs

Still have a question? Call Sam Hayes on 07301 504889.

How much does solar panel cleaning cost?

+

It depends on the number of panels and access. Every job is quoted individually.

How often should solar panels be cleaned?

+

It depends on your location and how quickly dirt builds up. We can advise after seeing your panels.

Can I clean my panels myself?

+

We do not recommend going on the roof or using pressure washers or chemicals, which can damage panels.

Will cleaning fix low generation?

+

If dirt is the cause, it helps. If not, we can carry out fault finding.

Do you clean panels another company installed?

+

Suitability depends on the array, panel condition and safe access. Contact us with details of your system.

Will cleaning damage my panels?

+

Unsuitable cleaning can damage panels. Methods must follow panel manufacturer guidance and be suitable for the glass, seals and safe access.

Can cleaning be done with a service?

+

Yes. Cleaning can be discussed alongside servicing or bird proofing. The scope and visit arrangements depend on the job.

Do you clean solar panels in Barry, Cardiff and Swansea?

+

Yes. We clean panels across South Wales and the South West, including coastal areas such as Barry, Porthcawl and Swansea where salt residue can build up.

What guarantee do you give?

+

All of our work is backed by a 2-year workmanship warranty.

Are you accredited and insured?

+

Yes. We are MCS certified, TrustMark endorsed, RECC approved and NAPIT registered, and carry £2m public liability insurance.

Do you offer emergency call-outs?

+

Our hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Contact us during working hours to discuss your enquiry.

How can I pay?

+

By bank transfer or credit/debit card.

Which areas do you cover?

+

We are based in Barry and cover Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Porthcawl, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Brecon, Bristol, Bath, Gloucester and Hereford.

Related Services

Complete Solar Services or explore all solar services.

SolaX solar inverter on a brick wall beside an electrical isolator

Let More Light Reach Your Panels

Get an individual quote for cleaning from solar installers.

MCS certified · 2-year workmanship warranty · £2m insured