Why Solar Panel Cleaning Matters
Rain rinses off light dust, but it doesn't move bird droppings, wildfire ash, or spring pollen that has baked onto the glass through a dry East Bay summer. A 2013 UC San Diego study of 186 California sites says panels heavily soiled with bird droppings should be cleaned, because rain won't remove them. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now the National Laboratory of the Rockies) found that morning dew can cement dust onto the glass until even a strong rain won't take it off.
Plain dust is a weaker reason to clean. UC San Diego researchers found that panels that went 145 days without rain or cleaning lost 7.4% of their efficiency, and a mid-summer wash on a typical 5 kW home system was worth about $20 in electricity. So we don't sell cleaning as a way to shrink your power bill. We clean to get the stuck-on mess off your panels safely, without anyone in your house climbing onto the roof with a hose.
This page covers homes. For a business property, carport, or other commercial site, see our commercial solar panel cleaning page.
Common Contaminants
- Dust and dirt buildup
- Bird droppings
- Pollen and tree sap
- Wildfire ash
- Hard water mineral deposits
- Lichen and moss growth
Benefits of Cleaning
- Droppings, ash, and baked-on pollen off the glass
- Spot-free panels with no soap film left behind
- No ladder or roof work for you
- If we spot nesting birds or chewed wiring, we tell you
Our Deionized Water Cleaning Method
Deionized water has the minerals stripped out, so it dries without spots and doesn't need soap. We pair it with soft-bristle brushes and never pressure wash. The method follows the cleaning guidelines panel makers publish; your warranty terms are set by the company that made your panels.
Total Solar Cleaning is owned and run by Mitch McKay, an ISCA Certified Solar Panel Cleaner. We're business licensed and insured, with $2 million in general liability and workers' comp, and rated 5.0 on Yelp and Google.
Deionized Water
Minerals removed, so the glass dries clear with no spots
Chemical-Free
No soap, detergent, or chemicals running off into your yard
Manufacturer Guidelines
Soft brushes and no pressure washing, which is what panel makers ask for
Residential Solar Panel Cleaning Prices
| System Size | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 10-20 panels | $175-$225 |
| 21-30 panels | $225-$295 |
| 31-40 panels | $295-$350 |
| 40+ panels | Custom quote |
Where your home lands in its range depends on roof access and how much buildup is on the glass. Need the gutters done too? We can do both in one visit: gutter cleaning in Concord and the East Bay.
Over 40 panels? We'll price it from your panel count and roof access.
How Often Should You Clean Solar Panels?
Twice a year for most Bay Area homes. Some need more, and some need a visit right away:
Twice a year
May or June to clear spring pollen, then October or November for summer dust and wildfire ash.
More often
Heavy bird activity, overhanging trees, construction nearby, or low-tilt panels that rain barely rinses.
Immediately
After wildfire ash, a bird-dropping problem, or any buildup you can see from the yard that rain hasn't moved.
Solar Panel Cleaning Service Area
We provide solar panel cleaning throughout the East Bay, including:
Get Your Free Solar Cleaning Quote
Tell us your address, roughly how many panels you have, and how high they sit. We'll come back with a price.
Or call (833) 444-4173
Last updated: October 2026