Maximize Your Energy Production & Protect Your Investment
Is your solar array underperforming? In the Pacific Northwest, rain alone isn’t enough to keep your panels clean. Over time, a thick film of pollen, wildfire ash, moss, and “pollen paste” builds up, blocking sunlight and costing you money in lost energy production.
Dailey Maintenance LLC provides specialized, manufacturer-approved solar panel cleaning services across the Pacfic Northwest.
Why Rain Isn’t Enough
Many homeowners believe that our frequent PNW rain keeps their panels clean. Unfortunately, rain often moves debris around without removing it, leading to “shading” and mineral buildup.
- Pollen & Dust: Creates a sticky coating that hardens during the summer.
- Moss & Lichen: Growth along the frames can trap moisture and eventually damage panel seals.
- Efficiency Loss: Dirty panels can lose between 15% and 25% of their power output.
The Dailey Maintenance Difference
We don’t just “hose off” your panels. We use a professional-grade process that protects your equipment and ensures a spot-free finish.
- Ultra-Pure Deionized or Distilled Water: We use a specialized filtration system to produce 0-PPM (parts per million) water. This ensures your panels dry perfectly clear without the mineral “scaling” caused by regular tap water.
- No Chemicals or Soaps: Most manufacturers void warranties if harsh chemicals are used. We use pure water and mechanical agitation with soft-bristle brushes designed specifically for solar glass.
- Visual Inspection Included: While we are on your roof, we perform a visual check of your racking, conduit, and wiring to look for “critter” damage or loose hardware.
- Veteran-Owned & Locally Operated: With 20 years of experience in home cleaning and rountine maintenance, we understand the unique challenges of PNW roofs and solar panels.
What’s Included:
- Debris Removal: Clearing of leaves, dust, and light bird nesting.
- Spot-Free Rinse: Use of distilled water to prevent mineral buildup and “etching” on the glass.
- Visual Inspection: Basic check of panel integrity and mounting hardware.
- Before & After Photos: Documentation of the cleaning for your records.
- Thermal Shock Prevention: Never spray cold water on panels in the middle of a sunny day. The glass can crack from the temperature change. Clean only in the early morning, evening, or on overcast days.
- Deionized (DI) or Distilled Water Only: Even though PNW water is relatively soft, it still contains minerals. Professional cleaners use a “Water-Fed Pole” system that runs tap water through a DI resin tank to reach 0 ppm (parts per million) purity. This ensures a spot-free finish without using a squeegee.
- No Pressure Washers: High pressure can force water past the seals into the electrical components. Use a soft-bristle brush specifically designed for solar glass (nylon or boar’s hair).
- Chemical-Free: Most manufacturers (like LG, SunPower, or REC) will void the warranty if you use harsh chemicals or dish soap. Pure DI water and mechanical agitation with a brush are usually all that is required. For stubborn bird droppings, use a plastic scraper or a solar-safe specialized cleaner.
- The “Critter” Check: Look under the panels for squirrel or bird nests. In the PNW, squirrels love to chew on the wiring under the array.
- Frame Integrity: Check for “galvanic corrosion” where the aluminum frame meets the mounting rails.
- Conduit Inspection: Ensure the plastic or metal pipes holding the wires aren’t sagging or pulling away from the roof.
| Minimum Service Fee | $250 | Covers site mobilization, safety setup, and up to 10 panels. |
| Standard Cleaning | $25 per panel | Professional cleaning with deionized or distilled water/specialized brushes. |
Surcharge Factors
Difficult-access projects require specialized safety rigging and additional labor time.
- High Pitch: Rates double for roof pitches exceeding 10/12.
- System Height: Rates double for installations located above 3 stories.
- Combined Factors: Projects meeting both criteria will be quoted individually to ensure crew safety.
Commercial & Large Scale
For systems exceeding 40 panels or ground-mounted arrays, please contact us directly for a custom high-volume quote.
Note: Maintaining clean panels can increase energy output by as much as 15% to 25% depending on local environmental factors like dust, pollen, and ash.
Schedule Your Cleaning Today:
Ready to get the most out of your solar investment? Don’t wait for the fall rush or the summer heat.
Get a Professional Quote: 📞 Call/Text: 503-984-7161 🌐 info@daileymaintenance.com
“Doing the job right, the first time. Since 2006.”
Solar Panel Cleaning: Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s tempting, tap water in the Portland and Vancouver area contains minerals that can leave behind “hard water” spots or scaling. When the sun hits those spots, they can “etch” into the glass over time, permanently reducing the panel’s transparency. We use deionized water to ensure a 100% spot-free, mineral-free finish.
Actually, professional cleaning helps protect it. Most manufacturers (like SunPower, LG, and REC) require regular maintenance and specifically warn against using high-pressure washers or harsh chemical soaps. Our process uses only soft-bristle brushes and pure water, which is the exact method recommended by major solar brands.
We typically recommend a professional cleaning twice a year.
- Spring (May/June): To remove the heavy “pollen paste” that accumulates from our local trees.
- Fall (September/October): To clear away summer dust and wildfire ash before the rainy season begins.
No. Using a pressure washer is one of the quickest ways to damage a solar array. High pressure can force water past the seals and into the electrical housing, causing system failure. We use a “low-flow, high-purity” method that relies on specialized brushes and filtered water to safely lift grime.
The $250 minimum is per visit and covers mobilization, safety setup, and the cleaning of your first 10 panels. This ensures we can provide the high-level of safety and equipment standards required to do the job right.
As long as we have access to an outdoor water spigot and a clear path around the perimeter of the home, you do not need to be present. We can provide before-and-after photos and send your invoice electronically for your convenience.