SOLAR PANEL CLEANING
Solar panels, cleaned without a touch.
We rinse commercial solar arrays from the air with purified water: non-abrasive and contactless.
WHY FROM THE AIR
Dust on the glass, shade on the cells.
Over time, dust settles on the glass and blocks the sunlight, which reduces the panels' ability to generate maximum power. In Colorado, pollen and snowmelt residue add to it.
Cleaning an array by hand puts workers with poles and equipment beside live electrical systems, and traditional methods carry real risks, electrocution among them.
So we clean from the air. The drone works remotely, with no direct contact with the panels, which reduces the risk of electrocution. The clean itself is non-abrasive: purified water, no harsh scrubbing.
THE ELECTRICAL QUESTION
What happens if a drone meets a live circuit?
A drone in the air is disconnected from the ground, and that isolation insulates it electrically. What could connect it to the ground is the tethered hose and the water inside it.
Water with a high amount of minerals conducts electricity, so we rinse with purified, mineral-free water, which reduces conductivity and leaves only the hose as a possible route to the ground. Hoses that contain metal can conduct, while many hoses used for soft washing are poly or rubber mesh, which is usually non-conductive.
HOW A MISSION RUNS
From pre-flight to landing.
PRE-FLIGHT
Assess the site
Before the first flight we assess the site, set a safety perimeter and stage the water filtration.
LIFT-OFF
Water up the tether
A tethered hose carries purified water, with a precisely diluted cleaning solution where the panels need it, from our rig on the ground up to the drone.
THE RINSE
Work the array
The aircraft works the panels in precise patterns, non-abrasive and contactless, and finishes with a rinse of purified water that dries spot-free.
THE PRECAUTIONS
Four precautions to ask about.
Following proper safety practices can minimize risks during cleaning operations.
Before the flight
- Proper Equipment Maintenance The pump and its power source on the ground should be properly grounded.
- Get an Inspection An electrician should test the equipment to ensure it is safe to use on electrical devices such as solar panels.
During the flight
- Use Non-Conductive Hoses Hoses designed to prevent electrical conductivity further reduce risks.
- Operate in Safe Conditions No cleaning near high-voltage lines or during inclement weather, which could increase electrical hazards.
Ask us about each one with your quote. Request a quote
WHAT YOU GET
The plan before, the record after.
Every site gets its own plan.
Below the aircraft we mark a safety zone perimeter with caution tape, cones and barricades, and trained observers assist the pilot to maintain 360-degree situational awareness.
When we land, you get an inspection and before-and-after photos or video, so you can see the difference for yourself.
Your array is next in the log.
Tell us where the panels are, and a project manager comes back with questions, then a plan.
QUESTIONS
Straight answers, before you call.
Is drone solar panel cleaning safe?
Yes, when certain precautions are taken against electrocution. A drone in the air is isolated from the ground, purified water reduces conductivity, and hoses designed to prevent electrical conductivity reduce the risk further. Nobody should clean near high-voltage lines or in inclement weather, and an electrician should test the equipment before it cleans solar panels.
Will cleaning scratch or damage my panels?
Solar panels need gentle cleaning, and ours is non-abrasive and contactless, with no harsh scrubbing. We use purified water, with a precisely diluted cleaning solution where the panels need it, and no harsh chemicals that could degrade your panels over time.
Why do solar panels need cleaning?
To keep their efficiency and their energy output. Dust builds up on the glass over time, blocks the sunlight and reduces how much power the panels can make.
Are cleaning drones grounded?
Generally not, in the traditional electrical sense: a drone connected to a pump on a trailer or truck bed is isolated once it is in the air, and it may still be protected from electrocution. The pump and its power source on the ground should be properly grounded.
Will cleaning disrupt my building's operations?
We keep disruption to your building's operations to a minimum, and we review the site in advance to settle staging and access.
How do I get a quote?
Send the details in the form below, or call +1 (866) 838-1555, and a project manager comes back with questions, then a plan.
REQUEST A QUOTE
Tell us about the array.
Send your building details. A project manager will follow up with questions, then a plan.
Or reach us directly+1 (866) 838-1555info@trydronewash.com