Solar Panel Spring Cleaning | Why It’s So Essential
After a long winter and an unusually dry March (great for getting a bit of pre-summer sun), solar panels across the UK are about to face a yearly seasonal challenge that could significantly affect energy output and efficiency – especially if it’s not addressed effectively and with a professional solar panel cleaning company.
We’re all familiar with spring cleaning, with the season traditionally seen as a time for renewal, maintenance, and preparation. Looking after solar PV systems should be considered part and parcel of this tradition, especially as we prepare for longer, warmer days of sunshine.
You could own a residential solar panel array or a large commercial rooftop solar PV array, and by now, you’d likely be familiar with the need for proper cleaning. However, while many focus on the winter and autumn due to a lack of sun, spring has its own unique challenges. This blog, from the most professional solar panel cleaning company in the UK, digs into the seasonal reasons to book cleanings throughout spring. That said, the solar panel cleaning season is now a year round task given the many variables of soiling seen on UK solar panel installations.
Why spring is the perfect time for solar panel cleaning
Spring breathes new life, marking the end of shorter days, gloomy skies, and gloomy weather. As we move towards the brighter, longer days of summer, solar PV systems have a chance to perform at their peak. But we can only see the benefits of all this brightness if they’re clean.
Over winter, panels accumulate grime from rain and snow, along with all sorts of other organic residues. Then comes spring – problem solved, right? Wrong.
This change brings a new set of issues like pollen, sticky tree sap and persistent bird droppings. And this year, there's another complicating factor. March has been unusually dry across many parts of the UK, which while great for the public, isn’t as positive for solar panels. Airborne pollutants and dust have built up far more than usual without rainfall to rinse the solar panels naturally.
Failing to address this seasonal buildup now with some much-needed spring cleaning could mean lost energy, reduced panel lifespan and costly inefficiencies.
Winter’s legacy | What’s left behind on your panels
Your solar panels have to work very hard during the colder months. You might think the snow, heavy rain, wind and overcast skies give them some time off, but if only it were that easy. While they’re built to endure harsh conditions, winter often leaves behind:
● Layers of dust and dirt
● Hardened bird mess, which can become more adhesive and damaging over time
● Tree debris and organic matter, especially from surrounding evergreens
● Frost-bonded grime that’s difficult to clean without the right equipment
These remnants can reduce the effectiveness of your solar system, also having the potential to physically compromise the integrity of your solar panels if left unchecked. This is why solar panel maintenance cannot be seen as a once-a-year task but rather a seasonal necessity.
‘The Dry March Effect’ | Why 2025 is a dirtier year than usual
March 2025 has been one of the sunniest and driest on record across the UK. While this is obviously good news for many reasons, such as socialising and the collective mental well-being of the country, the lack of rainfall has a downside. Solar panels that are typically rinsed off by frequent spring showers are now coated in layers of dust, dirt and grime, which will only get more stubborn as time goes on.
Rooftops all over the country have seen issues like:
● Dust from roads and agricultural activity clinging to residential and commercial panels
● Heavy soiling from industrial sites contributing to a buildup of dirt on the solar panels
● Pollution residue from nearby towns and cities settling during calm, dry days
● Spring pollen concentrations being unusually high for the time of year
The result? A noticeable dip in solar PV system performance.
Springtime Enemies of Clean Solar panels
Spring brings longer daylight hours and plenty of pretty blossoms, but it also brings new contaminants. Being familiar with the common culprits dirtying your solar panels is important to understand the necessity of spring cleaning.
1. Pollen
Spring pollen is fine, sticky and incredibly stubborn, clinging to the surfaces of solar panels and forming a film that both blocks light and attracts other pollutants. Pollen build-up can reduce solar efficiency dramatically, becoming especially problematic near flowering trees and agricultural areas (where larger installations often are).
2. Tree Sap
Cleaning tree sap off solar modules is a real chore. Unlike dust or pollen, tree sap hardens under the sun and becomes almost impossible to remove without the intervention of professional solar panel cleaning companies. Tree sap doesn’t just block sunlight – it can etch itself into the panel’s surface and attract further dirt accumulations.
3. Bird Droppings (guano)
Bird mess is a major threat to solar panels all year round, whether you’re in a rural, urban, coastal or industrial setting. It’s incredibly acidic, fast-drying (more so in the spring) and capable of damaging the protective coatings on your modules. Plus, it creates shaded “hot spots” that decrease overall output and causes permanent staining on the modules.
4. Airborne Pollution
Your solar panels are bound to accumulate a layer of pollution particles and residue over time – especially if they’re situated near a road, industrial park or farmland. This is especially common on commercial rooftop arrays, where the surface area is much greater, meaning the consequences of energy loss can be much worse.
Expert solar panel cleaners are trained to identify these problems and eliminate them quickly and safely, using solar-safe cleaning solutions and suitable specialised solar panel cleaning equipment.
How dirt affects efficiency (and your energy bill)
Dirty solar panels can reduce energy output by 10–25%, depending on the severity of the soiling. For large PV arrays – like commercial rooftop PV systems with a large quantity of solar modules – this could mean hundreds or even thousands of pounds of lost money and reduced energy production. In the height of summer, this loss is even more of an impact, as it should be the best time to generate power. That’s why spring cleaning is critical, ensuring your solar panels are operating at peak efficiency just as the sunshine arrives.
It's not just performance that suffers, with dirty solar panels you are much more likely to experience issues like:
● Microcracks due to thermal stress
● Warranty voids, as many manufacturers require proof of regular maintenance
● Permanent staining or etching from bird droppings and sap
When you choose a professional solar panel cleaning company, you’re investing in long-term protection and maximum return on your investment, from spring cleaning through every season of the year.
Commercial rooftop arrays | Why professional maintenance is essential
If you manage a commercial solar rooftop array, you should already understand the scale of solar panel maintenance and professional module cleaning requirements. This is because larger PV systems are more exposed to various contaminants, such as:
● Windborne debris
● Air pollution
● Wildlife interference
● Uneven soiling patterns
The scale of these installations makes solar panel maintenance particularly challenging. Cleaning them safely and effectively requires:
● Working at height equipment and safety protocols (within legal parameters)
● Specialist solar brushes and solar-safe solutions
● Detailed inspection and reporting
When looking for the best UK solar panel cleaning company, make sure to keep an eye out for good quality google reviews, for teams that have worked with facilities managers, energy consultants, local authorities and industrial estate operators across the country. Having a range of successful case studies is always a telltale sign of a high-quality operation.
DIY solar panel cleaning? Think again
You already handle the spring cleaning in your home and office, why wouldn’t you get your hands dirty cleaning the solar panels yourself? We understand the temptation to rinse your panels with a hose or a pressure washer better than anyone. But the reality is DIY solar panel cleaning can, and generally will, do more harm than good.
Reasons to bypass doing it yourself include:
● Water pressure from high-speed washers can crack panels
● Harsh detergents can strip protective coatings
● Household ladders are not designed for safe rooftop work
● Streaks and smears can be left behind, reducing efficiency further
There may also be a risk of electrocution.
Only trained, experienced and insured solar panel cleaners with the right equipment and safety protocols can clean your solar panels effectively without risking damage to your installation or injury. Falling off a roof may well put a dampener on your summer plans!
Choose a team you can trust
If you’re at a loss on who to hire for your solar spring cleaning, look no further than Solar Panel Cleaning Services Ltd. We have excellent customer reviews and take great pride, care and effort with every single job, using tools and techniques like:
● Telescopic water-fed poles with purified water
● Biodegradable, solar-compatible cleaning agents
● Low-abrasion brushes and inspection equipment
● Full PPE and rooftop safety setups
● And everything in between!
Our use of the highest-quality tools and techniques is just one of the reasons why our clients call us the best UK solar panel cleaning company, trusted by homeowners and businesses nationwide.
Other reasons to choose us for spring cleaning
We’re not just solar panel cleaners, we’re passionate solar performance specialists who truly understand the technology. Some other points that set us apart include
● Nationwide reach and rapid response
● Fully trained and certified staff
● Competitive pricing with no compromise on quality
● Safe work at height accreditation
● Detailed inspection reports for commercial cleans
● Ongoing service plans for maximum ROI
With more than a decade of experience and successful jobs completed for brands like M&S, IKEA, Amazon, Sainsbury’s and BP (to name a few), we’ve more than earned our reputation as the most professional solar panel cleaning company in the UK.
The sun is already starting to show, with summer only promising more. In short, it’s your system’s opportunity to shine. Don’t let spring grime stand in the way of maximum output. We’re currently booking spring cleaning slots nationwide, and demand is exceptionally high following this year’s dry March. If you’re a homeowner, asset owner or business operator, we’ll get your panels spotless and summer-ready.
FAQs | Solar Panel Spring Cleaning
Q: Doesn’t rain clean my solar panels?
A: It might clean them a little bit, but it’s not going to do a sufficient job, as we know with our cars! Rainwater lacks the pressure and mineral-free properties needed for cleaning tree sap, bird droppings or stuck-on grime. Plus, it can actually contain particulates and pollution that leave behind mineral streaks.
Q: How often should panels be cleaned?
A: We recommend that you book in a solar panel clean once a year at the very least. Generally, we’d recommend more frequent cleanings for PV systems located in areas with more soiling.
Q: Is cleaning safe for my panels?
A: Yes, solar panel cleaning is totally safe for your modules when done by professionals. We use gentle but effective solar-safe methods that protect coatings and improve efficiency.
Don’t waste any more time
Don’t let dirty panels drag down the efficacy and ROI of your solar investment. With the worst of winter behind us and the best of the sunshine ahead, there’s never been a better time to act and book a solar panel clean. We’ve worked hard to become the best solar panel cleaning company in the UK, so you can be sure to trust us with protecting your investment.
Get in touch to join our happy client base today.