Case Studies
Solar Panel Array — Commercial Campus
Solar panel cleaning for a facility management company using DI water drone rinse.
Client Profile
Facility management company responsible for a mixed-use commercial campus with rooftop solar installations.
Site Details
200+ rooftop solar panels across 3 buildings. Panels mounted at various angles. Rooftop access restricted.
Problem
Dust and bird droppings had reduced panel efficiency below the thresholds specified in the energy performance contract. Manual cleaning by workers walking on the roof was causing micro-scratches on panels and raised safety concerns.
Approach
Panels were cleaned with a low-pressure DI (deionised) water rinse from a consistent height. No brushes or physical contact with the panel surface. Cleaning was scheduled for early morning to avoid thermal shock from cold water on hot panels.
Results
- All panels cleaned in 1.5 working days across the 3 buildings
- No micro-scratches — contactless cleaning preserved panel coating
- Energy output monitoring showed measurable improvement in the following weeks
- Cleaning documentation provided for performance contract compliance
Safety Notes
No workers were sent to the rooftop. All cleaning was performed via drone from a ground-level staging area. DI water supply was transported to site in our own tanks.
Lessons Learned
Early morning scheduling is essential for solar panel cleaning to avoid thermal stress. DI water quality should be verified before every job — we now carry a TDS meter as standard kit.
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