solar suds

On 8/18/2021 Eric Howe/Owner and Jon arrived to professionally clean our forty-nine solar panels. Eric was a former employee of the best solar panel installation companies in the Southeast United State, Solar Source. It turns out that Eric realized there is a market for professional cleaning of solar panels and has created a company that does just that. As a solar panel system owner since 2016 and my previous life in the USAF and Oil/Gas Industry I have learned the value of Preventative Maintenance/PM’s. Since 2016 we cleaned our solar panels once a year with a solution we purchased on Amazon and about every two or three months we would go on the roof and rinse the panels, especially between the panel and the metal holding bracket to remove the little dirt bugs that build up. After researching Solar Suds, we decided to get our solar array professionally cleaned. Eric and Jon did an outstanding job. Upon arrival and after setting up their gear, Eric provided me a briefing on the 12-Point Inspection Checklist he and Jon were going to do first and if anything is found and can be corrected on the spot, they will do it. If it cannot be fixed, pictures would be taken and provided to ensure a fix. Their Solar Suds Photovoltaic 12-Point Inspection Checklist is: 01. Look for any loose nuts and bolts. 02. Look for anything that is chipped, cracked, fading, or peeling. 03. Look for any handing or loose wires touching the rooftop. 04. Look for any damaged shingles or tile around the array. 05. Look for any loose mid or end clamps that hold down the panels 06. Look for any signs of electrical fires or burns around the array. 07. Look for any debris on or around the array. 08. Inspect for any debris on or around the array. 09. If present, check existing attic fans to see if they are working properly. 10. Look for any potential shading that could inhibit energy production. 11. Look for soft spots or heat bubbles around the solar array. 12. Check gutters. Eric found one panel that was not properly secured (work was done on these panels a week ago and the technician, due to lightening at the time, did not secure the top of one panel) – Eric secured the panel. He also identified one panel that has some deterioration internal to the panel. What I believe to be the most unique feature of Solar Suds work is the “purification” of the water they use. They attach their purification system to our outside water faucet wherein the water enters their system, in our case at 279 ‘minerals’, and when it comes out the other side, to use for washing/rinsing the panels, the reading is nine ‘minerals’. Their water purification system ensures that the panels are cleaned and not left with a film on the panel. The day was hot, but Eric and Jon stayed on task until the project was completed. Eric requested a snapshot of the array’s output before cleaning and then after the cleaning and there was a remarkable difference, and yes, the intensity of the sun did increase during the work; and we could clearly see the difference in how the panels looked. The price paid for the professional work accomplished is very reasonable. If you want better output from your system as well have the system and the roof that the array sits on inspected, you cannot go wrong with hiring Solar Suds to professionally and thoroughly clean your solar array and roof installed solar fans. Check Solar Suds out at [*** Link removed ***] you will not be disappointed.