Weather Considerations For Optimal Solar Panel Cleaning with Trevor Steiner

Duration: 4:17 850 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

The primary focus of this discussion is the specialized approach required for cleaning solar panels safely and effectively, emphasizing that weather conditions play a critical role in determining when work should be performed. While there are no strict rules regarding rain or extreme heat similar to those for window cleaning, experts advise avoiding rainy days simply because working on a wet roof is unsafe. Although solar panels are generally resistant to thermal shock from cold water on hot days, professionals often avoid scheduling cleanings during temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit not only due to the potential risk of cracking but also because no one enjoys working on a scorching hot roof. Beyond temperature, wind and sunlight intensity present significant challenges that must be managed for both safety and comfort. High winds make it dangerous to climb ladders or work on roofs, as the gusts can easily destabilize equipment or blow a worker off balance before they even reach the top of the ladder. Additionally, the reflective surface of solar panels creates an intense glare that is far brighter than standard roofing materials, necessitating the use of sunglasses to protect workers' eyes. The combination of direct exposure and high heat also increases the risk of sunburn, making protective headwear like large straw hats essential for summer operations. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is another vital component of solar panel maintenance, extending beyond basic safety gear to include non-conductive boots, gloves, and hard hats to prevent electrical hazards. Depending on the steepness of the roof or the specific chemicals being used, additional measures such as a full-body harness may be required to ensure worker security. The decision to wear certain gear can also depend on the individual's comfort level and the specific conditions of the job site, but the overarching goal is to maintain safety while ensuring that the cleaning process does not damage the sensitive technology or compromise the structural integrity of the roof. In conclusion, successful solar panel cleaning relies on a careful assessment of environmental factors including temperature, wind, and light reflection, alongside the use of appropriate safety equipment tailored to the specific risks of each job. Professionals like Trevor Steiner recommend avoiding extreme weather conditions to protect both the worker and the panels, ensuring that the cleaning process is efficient without causing harm. For those needing these specialized services, resources such as professional cleaning companies can be found through their websites and social media platforms, offering a reliable solution for homeowners who may not have the equipment or expertise to handle these unique requirements themselves.

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Hey, and good afternoon. You are on the Ask a House Cleaner Show. I'm Angela Brown, and I'm here today with Trevor Steiner, and he is the owner of Christine Clean Solutions. And I'm so excited that he's here today because he's going to tell us something that we have never talked about on this show before. And that is how to clean solar panels. Solar panels on the top of your roof. And you said, "What? I got to clean them?" Well, maybe you hire Trevor and he cleans them for you. But how do you clean them? It's a really good question, and I know now that I brought it up, you're probably wondering how do you clean solar panels? So, now today we have the expert himself to explain to us how you clean solar panels. Please help me welcome Trevor Steiner. How are you today? Doing good. Thank you. So, tell us if you will, what is the proper PPE for washing solar panels? I think I saw on this picture that you had, and I'll add it back here, you got boots on. Those are basically just waterproof boots. They do have more uh non-conductive boots. They have non-conductive gloves, hard hats. Um and then again, it goes back to um kind of how I'm feeling that day, to be honest. Sometimes, you know, I gear up and sometimes I don't. Well, and that might also go back to the type of roof that you're doing. You said that there are times when your protective equipment could be a harness because of the pitch of the roof. Right. And so, if you're protecting yourself that way, there might be something else that's required based on the type of roof or based on the type of cleaning chemical that you're using, based on the type of weather that you're cleaning in. And let's talk about weather for a second. I know that when you clean a window, it's better if you clean it on not a rainy day and not a sunny sunny day, but like kind of somewhere in between so that the water doesn't dry too fast, but then you can still see what you're doing. Is that the same and is that true also for cleaning solar panels? I don't like getting up on roofs when it's raining. But other than that, I mean, on the other hand, like if it's 110° outside, this is another question I get all the time is cuz everyone knows if you spray cold water on, let's say, your car's windshield on a 110° day, it's most likely going to crack. With solar panels, that's typically not an issue. There has to be an extreme temperature difference, like 110° out and you put ice cold water on it. But, I mean, the way my setup is, you're already on a warm day, so the the water is coming from my water tank. So, it's already pretty warm by the time it goes up, you know, let's say, 100 ft of hose, it's actually pretty warm by the time it hits the solar panels. So, there's really no issue with having them crack. There's always a possibility that they can, but you know, so I try not to schedule cleanings when it's 100° out. Plus, nobody likes being up on a roof when it's 100°. No. And for reasons people might not suspect, if you get up on a roof, and this is just logic because I have not cleaned any solar panels, okay? So, this is not from my personal experience. But, if you climb up on a roof, and you have the reflection of just the roof itself, that's one thing. Reflection off of a solar panel is going to be so much brighter. I can only imagine it would be glaring and glaring in your eyes. You probably have to wear sunglasses. Yeah, they definitely help. And I would imagine the heat could also be really hot and you could get sunburn really easily. Am I right? Yep. Yeah, in the summer, I have one of those big straw hats, and so, yeah. Another thing I forgot to mention was wind. When it's really windy, I don't get up on roofs, either. And I would imagine for aerodynamic reasons. You're the odd thing up there. It could just blow you right off. Right. Right. I know you can harness in and do that, but the problem is getting up on the roof. You know, you don't want to be on a ladder when it's really windy out, so. Yeah. And again, even though I have uh ladder stabilizers, you have to get to the top of the ladder to install the stabilizer first. So, in closing, and I've loved loved loved this conversation, where can our listeners go to find you? You can check us out on our website. It's pristinecleansolutions.com. You can check us out on Facebook, Instagram. I think that's roughly about it right now. Thank you for joining us today, Trevor Steiner.