7.4%
Efficiency lost after 145 days with no rain or cleaning1
A study of 186 California solar sites. Researchers found cleaning pays off for systems downwind of agricultural fields.
Solar panel cleaning · Oakdale, CA
Clean panels.
More power.
Dust from Central Valley farms, orchards and dirt roads settles on your solar panels all summer long, and our dry season doesn't rinse it away. Weber Solar Care gets your system back to producing what it should.
- Residential & commercial
- Roof & ground mount
- Pure-water, panel-safe cleaning
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We'll reach out shortly to schedule your cleaning and confirm pricing.
Why clean your panels
Dirty panels make less power
Sunlight has to reach the solar cells to make electricity. A layer of dust, pollen, ash or bird droppings blocks part of that light, and your system quietly produces less every day it sits there.
Up to 2×
More output after washing dirty flat-mounted panels2
Google washed its flat carport panels and saw output double. Flat and low-tilt panels trap the most dirt.
~0.3"
Average total rain in Oakdale, June through September3
Four months with almost no rain means dust builds up all summer, right when your panels should be producing the most.
Aug–Oct
Almond harvest, the Valley’s peak dust season4
Mechanical almond harvest runs from mid-August through October, sending dust drifting across the region.
Bird droppings and wildfire ash stick harder than dust and usually won't rinse off in the rain. The U.S. Department of Energy advises removing ash to restore optimal efficiency.5
Built for Valley dust
Oakdale panels work in tough conditions
Our area is surrounded by almond and walnut orchards, farms and ranches. That's great for the Valley, but it's hard on solar panels. Tilted panels in rainy climates mostly stay clean on their own. Ours sit through a long, dry, dusty summer.
When we recommend cleaning
- Early summer, before peak production months
- After harvest (October–November), once the dust settles
- More often next to an orchard, field or dirt road, or for ground-mount arrays
Orchards & farm fields
Harvest, discing and field work kick up fine dust that drifts for miles.
Dirt roads & ranch land
Every passing truck adds another layer, especially on ground-mount arrays.
Wildfire smoke & ash
Ash is sticky and can leave a film that rain alone won’t lift.
Birds & pollen
Droppings block light completely on the cells they cover.
Services
Residential & commercial systems
Roof mount or ground mount, cleaned safely and done right.
Residential
Homes of every size across Oakdale and the Central Valley. We schedule around you and keep your roof and landscaping protected.
Commercial
Businesses, ag operations, schools and multi-building sites. Larger systems lose more money to dirt, so cleaning pays off faster.
Roof Mount
Careful, panel-safe cleaning on pitched and flat roofs. We never walk on your panels.
Ground Mount
Ranch, farm and commercial ground arrays. They sit closest to the dust, so they usually get dirtiest fastest.
How we clean
The right way to clean solar panels
We follow the same guidelines solar panel manufacturers publish for cleaning their products, so your panels get clean and your warranty stays protected.
- 01
Pure water
Deionized water rinses clean without leaving mineral spots behind.
- 02
Soft brushes
Non-abrasive brushes lift dirt without scratching the glass.
- 03
No pressure washers
High-pressure water can damage panels, and manufacturers warn it voids the warranty.
- 04
No harsh chemicals
No acids, degreasers or soaps that can harm the glass or frames.
- 05
Cool panels
We clean early in the day, while panels are cool, to avoid thermal shock.
- 06
Hands-off panels
We never stand or walk on your panels.
“Pressure or steam cleaners and high pressure hoses… will invalidate the warranty.”REC Group, solar panel manufacturer cleaning guide6
Service area
Based in Oakdale, serving the Central Valley
We're local. From homes in town to ranches and commercial sites out in the country, if you're in the area, we'll come to you.
- Oakdale · home base
- Riverbank
- Modesto
- Escalon
- Waterford
- Turlock
- Ripon
- Manteca
- Stockton
- …and surrounding Central Valley communities
FAQ
Common questions
Don't see your question? Call us or send a quote request and we'll help.
Doesn't the rain clean my panels?
Rain helps tilted panels in wetter climates. Here, Oakdale averages only about a third of an inch of rain from June through September, so dust builds up all summer. Rain also won't remove bird droppings, ash films or the grime that collects on flat or low-tilt panels. A UC San Diego study found cleaning is especially worthwhile for systems downwind of agricultural fields.1
How often should I have my panels cleaned?
For most Central Valley homes we recommend at least once or twice a year: once in early summer and once after the fall harvest dust settles. If you live next to an orchard, field or dirt road, or have a ground-mount system, more frequent cleaning usually makes sense. We can suggest a schedule after we see your system.
Will cleaning void my panel warranty?
The wrong kind of cleaning can. Manufacturers such as REC warn that pressure washers, high-pressure hoses and abrasive tools will invalidate the warranty.6 We only use purified water and soft, non-abrasive brushes, following manufacturer cleaning guidelines.
Do you clean commercial and ground-mount systems?
Yes. We clean residential and commercial systems, on roofs or on the ground, including farm, ranch and business arrays.
How do I get a quote?
Fill out the quick form at the top of this page or give us a call. We'll follow up to learn about your system and give you pricing.