[Crystal-clear]

On the roof of a building at least 7 stories high.
Won't be able to get pure water up there.
There is a lot of panels someone gave me the idea of traditional basically with the extendable Pole.
Other site is also big I have a feeling the jobs will be about 2 Men one day each site. Potential to lead to window cleaning as well could be a bit of a lucky break as as I really do enjoy commercial adding VAT to invoice's is bliss.

However Need some guidance on how to undertake work should quote be excepted.
Have taken previous advice on here before told to just clean solar panels with only pure water.
But that was just for domestic customers that you can reach with pole
In this case considering you can't get the water up it would have to be done traditionally right? Any other advice that may be needed please chuck at at me
Cheers!

[KS Cleaning]

This is a wind up right? Are you saying you’ve submitted a quote without actually knowing how to do the job🙈

[richard connett]

Couldn’t you get a back pack and 25ltr drums up?

[Crystal-clear]

Couldn’t you get a back pack and 25ltr drums up?

Cheers well I Thought about that one
I think it will be too much work lugging all that up.
Realistically I think doing them all by hand and the extendable Pole.
In the past have done solars only with pure water and pole as most have said don't use any chemicals.

I know a simple detergent nothing stronger than what you find in your own house doing dishes is also ok.

I think it's going to have to be all done by hand which ain't a bad thing they'll still come up good just take a bit longer.
Anyone else has any other tips
Cheers.

[Slacky]

Why cant you get the water up there at 7 stories?

Buy a longer hose.

Good luck trying to use a back pack to get your water up there. Especially if its a big job.

[Slacky]

Why is adding VAT to invoices bliss?

[Smudger]

Why is adding VAT to invoices bliss?

Crystal - what a load of old bollo -  you don't need pure water to clean solar panels and you can use chemicals - its glass
firstly as slacky points out - get a longer hose - drop it over the side and connect it up

alternatively get a water source from the top floor of the building and plug your hose and pole into that - IF you find you struggle with a finish ( which I doubt ) put a squeegee on a pole and squeegee after you scrub.

come on man, - think outside the box - be positive

Darran

[Shrek]

7 stories is 21 meters isn’t it ?

[Ooooooog]

Make sure your insurance covers you for working at that height, most doesn’t.
You do need pure water.
We do a lot of this work.
Watch out for skylights.  Is there a man safe system and does it have a current certificate?

[Crystal-clear]

Why is adding VAT to invoices bliss?

Crystal - what a load of old bollo -  you don't need pure water to clean solar panels and you can use chemicals - its glass
firstly as slacky points out - get a longer hose - drop it over the side and connect it up

alternatively get a water source from the top floor of the building and plug your hose and pole into that - IF you find you struggle with a finish ( which I doubt ) put a squeegee on a pole and squeegee after you scrub.

come on man, - think outside the box - be positive

Darran

Hi so you are saying use chemicals its glass and even use tap water to let them dry? And worst case scenario you the squeegee if there's a problem with the finish?
I think dropping a long hose over the side of the building isnt a good idea but that's irrelevant because you're saying you can use tap water

Can you please also recommend me what chemical exactly to go for? As I have heard from others that you should only consider a domestic soapy solution I'm pretty sure it was splash and dash who said avoid chemicals on solar panels.

Please can you confirm a couple of things
As oooog has said you do need pure water

thank you very much for your assistance.

By the way if anyone has experience in this I wouldn't mind a little bit of help

please drop an email I knew I'll get a few silly comments and it doesn't bother me because I know a lot of people want to know these things but don't want to ask in case they get made to feel stupid. Im pleased people are Learning keep the good advice coming guys !

[Crystal-clear]

Make sure your insurance covers you for working at that height, most doesn’t.
You do need pure water.
We do a lot of this work.
Watch out for skylights.  Is there a man safe system and does it have a current certificate?

Hi mate really appreciate the good advice here.
I know solar panels can be cleaned with an extension basically traditionally do you also undertake it that way and what chemical do you use if you use one at all? So you're saying under no circumstances use tap water as you can see see other experienced people say you can.

[Ooooooog]

All the pv manufactures I’ve spoken to, have specified pure water.
There are a couple of chemicals you can use, these have been thoroughly tested  (as have the brushes) and are accepted by the industry as safe to use.
We trialled a new product a week or two ago and it was poor (on lichen).
If you’re cleaning in urban environment, then all you’ll need is pure water.
Seagulls are your enemy.

[Crystal-clear]

All the pv manufactures I’ve spoken to, have specified pure water.
There are a couple of chemicals you can use, these have been thoroughly tested  (as have the brushes) and are accepted by the industry as safe to use.
We trialled a new product a week or two ago and it was poor (on lichen).
If you’re cleaning in urban environment, then all you’ll need is pure water.
Seagulls are your enemy.

Hi mate once again really appreciate your positive advice. Could I by any chance drop you an email
Or I can leave you mine for a few other questions.

Would love the whole forum to learn but unfortunately it's one of those Saturday mornings where people come out with lots of irrelevant responses like they're waiting to pounce for something that sounds a bit silly but in reality
You have proven is not as straightforward as it may sound. Particular insurance make sure pure water make sure manholes you are also confirming to be careful with detergents etc etc .
So lots to learn indeed.

[Dave Willis]

You’ll most likely need a risk assessment and method statement on that one.

[Crystal-clear]

You’ll most likely need a risk assessment and method statement on that one.

Aye risk assessment too and oooog who is a solar person says only pure water etc. See it ain't as easy as nipping down and cracking on is it. Why has everyone gone quiet now ? come on at first it all seemed like I'm asking a silly question with obvious answers now others have fortunately given advice
Not many thought was coming.

Everyone on this forum should be encouraged to ask what they like without feeling anxious about people's responses just because you feel it's self-explanatory it might not be just like this situation isn't exactly the easiest. As a couple of experienced people are contradicting each other with different information.

Honesty doesnt bother me but I know it puts off other people from posting and I can guarantee you a lot of people are learning from this post as we speak and not commenting.

I think a lot of us have learnt loads over the years and I think it should say that way.
So please keep the positive helpful comments coming. And i hope everyone's having a lovely weekend 


 

[Shrek]

I’m sure you’ll find some cheap way of doing it you tightwad. A bit of spit and an old rag then you don’t have to spend any money! It’s all about the profit! Aaaahhh think of that vat , such bliss .
Cracks me up this site , people taking on jobs they haven’t got a clue how to do or how to price up or haven’t even got the staff to do it but yeah il give you a quote wtf 

[Dave Willis]

Probably because a) maybe not many on here today (Saturday) and b) it’s a job few have done.

If it was me, and I’ve never done a job like it. I’d be looking to park the van at the base of the building and running a hose up the outside.
You could probably also getaway with tap water up a pole with something like a wagtail jetstream on the end too.

[Simon Trapani]

I doubt Smudger meant to literally drop the hose off the side of a building More like just lower it down.

Personally I'd just avoid the job. Sounds like a right ball ache.

[NWH]

If you can’t fathom how to clean it with minutes of seeing it I’d say it’s not the job for you.

[Smudger]

Yes was a figure of speech - and yes it's been done, yes I've used tap water on solar panels and no they haven't fallen apart

Sorry if you feel an alternative method of cleaning is "silly"

I'll leave you to work out your own problems in future

All the best

Darran

[Splash & dash]

Why is adding VAT to invoices bliss?

Crystal - what a load of old bollo -  you don't need pure water to clean solar panels and you can use chemicals - its glass
firstly as slacky points out - get a longer hose - drop it over the side and connect it up

alternatively get a water source from the top floor of the building and plug your hose and pole into that - IF you find you struggle with a finish ( which I doubt ) put a squeegee on a pole and squeegee after you scrub.

come on man, - think outside the box - be positive

Darran

If the panels are under warrantee you cannot use tap water or chemicals  of any sort , it will invalidate the warrantee , I do think it’s daft but that’s the situation we used to do huge solar panel work for one of the largest installers in the country , I gave the contracts up in the end as we could earn two to three times more per day doing domestic and commercial window  cleaning  I have several  friends that have also done the same . Usually with a building 7 storeys high with panels on the top they have a water supplies  up there when we used to do them we used an ionics Quattro took that and hose and poles up in the lift , surely if you are quoting a job like this you should be thinking about water supplies before anything else ??

[Crystal-clear]

There we go as we can see another interesting response by splash and dash confirming that you cannot use tap water That you cannot use detergents splash there is no water supply so before I actually put a quote in and consider undertaking the job just so everyone knows lol that's why I'm here so splash could you please tell me what's the best way to proceed?

I'm not going to respond or acknowledge any irrelevant response no explanations no reasons..
Seriously Good God what is wrong with people today?. I even tried to lighten up everyone's mood
By wishing everyone a lovely weekend
Can someone please tell me what have I done wrong? Because all I can see is I never had the answer and I wanted some advice which I've actually got already I wasn't in any way being cocky I was extremely Humble needing some Direction.

Why can't people accept that people are entitled to ask questions without getting berated whether you have staff what's this nitpicking that nitpicking this. you shouldn't be quoting it's like no one has anything better to do seriously if you're not interested in the post and you got nothing positive to say just don't say it. Refusing to now give advice in the future I mean why has it all come to this 

Surely someone one can see where I'm coming from please feel free to jump in .. again hope you guys are having a marvellous weekend please smile sit back and relax a little

[Slacky]

Why has everyone gone quiet now ?

Because you didn't like what others were saying, so they've shut up. That's why I did.

It's very simple, solar panel cleaning on roof-tops. You just have to know what you're doing. And be qualified.

[Don Kee]

I'm not going to respond or acknowledge any irrelevant response no explanations no reasons..
Seriously Good God what is wrong with people today?. I even tried to lighten up everyone's mood
By wishing everyone a lovely weekend
Can someone please tell me what have I done wrong? Because all I can see is I never had the answer and I wanted some advice which I've actually got already I wasn't in any way being cocky I was extremely Humble needing some Direction.

Why can't people accept that people are entitled to ask questions without getting berated whether you have staff what's this nitpicking that nitpicking this. you shouldn't be quoting it's like no one has anything better to do seriously if you're not interested in the post and you got nothing positive to say just don't say it. Refusing to now give advice in the future I mean why has it all come to this 

Honesty doesnt bother me
 

Looks to me like it’s bothering you...

Maybe if you’re not sure and are getting conflicting opinions, it may be worth doing a little of your own research?

In fairness, I do think you’re making it a little harder than it needs to be to honest, all your problems are solved by running your hose from your van up the side of the building and you then have pure water to clean the panels.
The problem of whether you can use normal water or not becomes irrelevant.

Your comment about VAT is just odd. Are you trying to draw attention to the fact that you pay VAT? Who doesn’t, it’s no big deal.

[Slacky]

I'm not going to respond or acknowledge any irrelevant response no explanations no reasons..

 

[Splash & dash]

There we go as we can see another interesting response by splash and dash confirming that you cannot use tap water That you cannot use detergents splash there is no water supply so before I actually put a quote in and consider undertaking the job just so everyone knows lol that's why I'm here so splash could you please tell me what's the best way to proceed?

I'm not going to respond or acknowledge any irrelevant response no explanations no reasons..
Seriously Good God what is wrong with people today?. I even tried to lighten up everyone's mood
By wishing everyone a lovely weekend
Can someone please tell me what have I done wrong? Because all I can see is I never had the answer and I wanted some advice which I've actually got already I wasn't in any way being cocky I was extremely Humble needing some Direction.

Why can't people accept that people are entitled to ask questions without getting berated whether you have staff what's this nitpicking that nitpicking this. you shouldn't be quoting it's like no one has anything better to do seriously if you're not interested in the post and you got nothing positive to say just don't say it. Refusing to now give advice in the future I mean why has it all come to this 

Surely someone one can see where I'm coming from please feel free to jump in .. again hope you guys are having a marvellous weekend please smile sit back and relax a little

I wasn’t being rude or unhelpful I was simply stating when quoting this type of job the first thing to consider is access and water supplies , we did a lot of work for green gen  they sent out a technical bulletin of what could and couldn’t be used , and how they wanted the panels cleaned , every building we did at the height you are saying and Evan much lower than that had a water supply put on the roof when the panels were installed   for the very reason of cleaning them for the next 25 years .if there is no water supply then as has already been said just drop a hose down the building ,   and join it up to another , when doing ground mount systems we regularly had 400 meters of hoses out ,, you might need a higher capacity pump to push it up 7 floors but this isn’t difficult or expensive to do , all buildings if that height and type must have a dry riser , this usually goes right to the roof   , it’s used fir fire fighting in the event of a fire , after gaining permission to use it you can connect this into a portable filtration unit in our case ionics quattro systems is needed to filter the water and supply it tk the poles , again I don’t want to be rude but it does appear that you arnt familia with this type of work so might be better to pass it on to someone who is qualified to do it , have they asked you for rams ? Are you insured for  working on solar of this type ?. Have you any training in this field theses are all questions the building owner should be asking you before quote or start any work . Again Ime not putting you down or being critical just trying to explain that  the way to tackle this type of work is very different ti window cleaning .

[Crystal-clear]

I'm not going to respond or acknowledge any irrelevant response no explanations no reasons..
Seriously Good God what is wrong with people today?. I even tried to lighten up everyone's mood
By wishing everyone a lovely weekend
Can someone please tell me what have I done wrong? Because all I can see is I never had the answer and I wanted some advice which I've actually got already I wasn't in any way being cocky I was extremely Humble needing some Direction.

Why can't people accept that people are entitled to ask questions without getting berated whether you have staff what's this nitpicking that nitpicking this. you shouldn't be quoting it's like no one has anything better to do seriously if you're not interested in the post and you got nothing positive to say just don't say it. Refusing to now give advice in the future I mean why has it all come to this 

Honesty doesnt bother me
 

Looks to me like it’s bothering you...

Maybe if you’re not sure and are getting conflicting opinions, it may be worth doing a little of your own research?

In fairness, I do think you’re making it a little harder than it needs to be to honest, all your problems are solved by running your hose from your van up the side of the building and you then have pure water to clean the panels.
The problem of whether you can use normal water or not becomes irrelevant.

Your comment about VAT is just odd. Are you trying to draw attention to the fact that you pay VAT? Who doesn’t, it’s no big deal.

No it really doesn't bother me at all  just pointing it out for the sake of other wonderful forum users so those who wish it is bothering me sorry!

Ok for the sake of everyone looks like i need to explain random little things i said in sentence which isn't really related to the subject but anyway

Ohh maybe it was that Good God no  i wish i didn't mention anything about VAT now i certainly know its no big thing at all infact it doesn't mean you're making anymore money then the next person who isnt. Vat is expensive and you really need to watch your costs to be in a decent place particularity in the lower end of the turnover

Anyhow as promised so i must explain if you pay Vat and you clean a domestic house for £20 cant charge the customer VAT as Joe is also £20 on the same street so if you increase price to account for the VAT you can potentially loose the customer So in reality you're Take is only £16.67 compared to Joe's who is £20.00 meaning you're making less profit then joe.

Why i said it was Bliss is if Joe cleans a chemist and charges £20 if you clean chemist next door and you're Vat reg you can also Charge £20 but add Vat to the invoice with the client being totally fine with it . So joe's take is £20 and the Vat Reg person's is £24 meaning if you're on a flat rate or after your offset instead of being £16.67 you will be about £21 meaning you will be in more profit then joe but more importantly leaving you in more profit generally  i think its obvious that if you're vat reg you want to be in a situation to pass on the Vat without loosing the client

I hope this all makes scene or let me guess is it all a load of waffle? what i am saying 
in which case please disregard the whole "silly" little VAT word i used its completely irrelevant to cleaning solar panels
and im sorry for saying its bliss hope that clears that all up !

[Crystal-clear]

There we go as we can see another interesting response by splash and dash confirming that you cannot use tap water That you cannot use detergents splash there is no water supply so before I actually put a quote in and consider undertaking the job just so everyone knows lol that's why I'm here so splash could you please tell me what's the best way to proceed?

I'm not going to respond or acknowledge any irrelevant response no explanations no reasons..
Seriously Good God what is wrong with people today?. I even tried to lighten up everyone's mood
By wishing everyone a lovely weekend
Can someone please tell me what have I done wrong? Because all I can see is I never had the answer and I wanted some advice which I've actually got already I wasn't in any way being cocky I was extremely Humble needing some Direction.

Why can't people accept that people are entitled to ask questions without getting berated whether you have staff what's this nitpicking that nitpicking this. you shouldn't be quoting it's like no one has anything better to do seriously if you're not interested in the post and you got nothing positive to say just don't say it. Refusing to now give advice in the future I mean why has it all come to this 

Surely someone one can see where I'm coming from please feel free to jump in .. again hope you guys are having a marvellous weekend please smile sit back and relax a little

I wasn’t being rude or unhelpful I was simply stating when quoting this type of job the first thing to consider is access and water supplies , we did a lot of work for green gen  they sent out a technical bulletin of what could and couldn’t be used , and how they wanted the panels cleaned , every building we did at the height you are saying and Evan much lower than that had a water supply put on the roof when the panels were installed   for the very reason of cleaning them for the next 25 years .if there is no water supply then as has already been said just drop a hose down the building ,   and join it up to another , when doing ground mount systems we regularly had 400 meters of hoses out ,, you might need a higher capacity pump to push it up 7 floors but this isn’t difficult or expensive to do , all buildings if that height and type must have a dry riser , this usually goes right to the roof   , it’s used fir fire fighting in the event of a fire , after gaining permission to use it you can connect this into a portable filtration unit in our case ionics quattro systems is needed to filter the water and supply it tk the poles , again I don’t want to be rude but it does appear that you arnt familia with this type of work so might be better to pass it on to someone who is qualified to do it , have they asked you for rams ? Are you insured for  working on solar of this type ?. Have you any training in this field theses are all questions the building owner should be asking you before quote or start any work . Again Ime not putting you down or being critical just trying to explain that  the way to tackle this type of work is very different ti window cleaning .

No i didnt say you was being rude or unhelpful mate. I said a good response by you just pointing out to some others who went off subject sorry lines can get crossed on wordings at times. YOU have been helpful as have some others

[Shrek]

I'm not going to respond or acknowledge any irrelevant response no explanations no reasons..
Seriously Good God what is wrong with people today?. I even tried to lighten up everyone's mood
By wishing everyone a lovely weekend
Can someone please tell me what have I done wrong? Because all I can see is I never had the answer and I wanted some advice which I've actually got already I wasn't in any way being cocky I was extremely Humble needing some Direction.

Why can't people accept that people are entitled to ask questions without getting berated whether you have staff what's this nitpicking that nitpicking this. you shouldn't be quoting it's like no one has anything better to do seriously if you're not interested in the post and you got nothing positive to say just don't say it. Refusing to now give advice in the future I mean why has it all come to this 

Honesty doesnt bother me
 

Looks to me like it’s bothering you...

Maybe if you’re not sure and are getting conflicting opinions, it may be worth doing a little of your own research?

In fairness, I do think you’re making it a little harder than it needs to be to honest, all your problems are solved by running your hose from your van up the side of the building and you then have pure water to clean the panels.
The problem of whether you can use normal water or not becomes irrelevant.

Your comment about VAT is just odd. Are you trying to draw attention to the fact that you pay VAT? Who doesn’t, it’s no big deal.

No it really doesn't bother me at all  just pointing it out for the sake of other wonderful forum users so those who wish it is bothering me sorry!

Ok for the sake of everyone looks like i need to explain random little things i said in sentence which isn't really related to the subject but anyway

Ohh maybe it was that Good God no  i wish i didn't mention anything about VAT now i certainly know its no big thing at all infact it doesn't mean you're making anymore money then the next person who isnt. Vat is expensive and you really need to watch your costs to be in a decent place particularity in the lower end of the turnover

Anyhow as promised so i must explain if you pay Vat and you clean a domestic house for £20 cant charge the customer VAT as Joe is also £20 on the same street so if you increase price to account for the VAT you can potentially loose the customer So in reality you're Take is only £16.67 compared to Joe's who is £20.00 meaning you're making less profit then joe.

Why i said it was Bliss is if Joe cleans a chemist and charges £20 if you clean chemist next door and you're Vat reg you can also Charge £20 but add Vat to the invoice with the client being totally fine with it . So joe's take is £20 and the Vat Reg person's is £24 meaning if you're on a flat rate or after your offset instead of being £16.67 you will be about £21 meaning you will be in more profit then joe but more importantly leaving you in more profit generally  i think its obvious that if you're vat reg you want to be in a situation to pass on the Vat without loosing the client

I hope this all makes scene or let me guess is it all a load of waffle? what i am saying 
in which case please disregard the whole "silly" little VAT word i used its completely irrelevant to cleaning solar panels
and im sorry for saying its bliss hope that clears that all up !

You poor sole making less profit than joe. I take it joes turnover isnt £85,000 + though. So your still taking home more money than joe at the end of the day

[Crystal-clear]

I'm not going to respond or acknowledge any irrelevant response no explanations no reasons..
Seriously Good God what is wrong with people today?. I even tried to lighten up everyone's mood
By wishing everyone a lovely weekend
Can someone please tell me what have I done wrong? Because all I can see is I never had the answer and I wanted some advice which I've actually got already I wasn't in any way being cocky I was extremely Humble needing some Direction.

Why can't people accept that people are entitled to ask questions without getting berated whether you have staff what's this nitpicking that nitpicking this. you shouldn't be quoting it's like no one has anything better to do seriously if you're not interested in the post and you got nothing positive to say just don't say it. Refusing to now give advice in the future I mean why has it all come to this 

Honesty doesnt bother me
 

Looks to me like it’s bothering you...

Maybe if you’re not sure and are getting conflicting opinions, it may be worth doing a little of your own research?

In fairness, I do think you’re making it a little harder than it needs to be to honest, all your problems are solved by running your hose from your van up the side of the building and you then have pure water to clean the panels.
The problem of whether you can use normal water or not becomes irrelevant.

Your comment about VAT is just odd. Are you trying to draw attention to the fact that you pay VAT? Who doesn’t, it’s no big deal.

No it really doesn't bother me at all  just pointing it out for the sake of other wonderful forum users so those who wish it is bothering me sorry!

Ok for the sake of everyone looks like i need to explain random little things i said in sentence which isn't really related to the subject but anyway

Ohh maybe it was that Good God no  i wish i didn't mention anything about VAT now i certainly know its no big thing at all infact it doesn't mean you're making anymore money then the next person who isnt. Vat is expensive and you really need to watch your costs to be in a decent place particularity in the lower end of the turnover

Anyhow as promised so i must explain if you pay Vat and you clean a domestic house for £20 cant charge the customer VAT as Joe is also £20 on the same street so if you increase price to account for the VAT you can potentially loose the customer So in reality you're Take is only £16.67 compared to Joe's who is £20.00 meaning you're making less profit then joe.

Why i said it was Bliss is if Joe cleans a chemist and charges £20 if you clean chemist next door and you're Vat reg you can also Charge £20 but add Vat to the invoice with the client being totally fine with it . So joe's take is £20 and the Vat Reg person's is £24 meaning if you're on a flat rate or after your offset instead of being £16.67 you will be about £21 meaning you will be in more profit then joe but more importantly leaving you in more profit generally  i think its obvious that if you're vat reg you want to be in a situation to pass on the Vat without loosing the client

I hope this all makes scene or let me guess is it all a load of waffle? what i am saying 
in which case please disregard the whole "silly" little VAT word i used its completely irrelevant to cleaning solar panels
and im sorry for saying its bliss hope that clears that all up !

You poor sole making less profit than joe. I take it joes turnover isnt £85,000 + though. So your still taking home more money than joe at the end of the day

Why do you jump to conclusions that everyone who is turning over £85,000 is making more profit then Joe who could be turning over £82,000?

[Shrek]

From the way you talk about buying the cheapest shoes , cheapest clothes , cheapest gear. What’s the point in turning over £85k + if you aren’t going to spend it and you earn less than ‘joe’?
You certainly take home more than ‘joe’ you tightwad

[Crystal-clear]

From the way you talk about buying the cheapest shoes , cheapest clothes , cheapest gear. What’s the point in turning over £85k + if you aren’t going to spend it and you earn less than ‘joe’?
You certainly take home more than ‘joe’ you tightwad

HAHAHA

lol well thats a different subject all together its almost like you know me yeah ive mentioned saving money on here before so calling me tight goes with the territory . but the new  bird says i'm tones better since i met her ! on a serious note tho Joe can turnover and be in more profit  on about £68k  and being vat isn't easy alot of your left over money gets swallowed up in vat so you do need to keep an eye out Especially on the lower end of the threshold with all the running costs!!! and when it comes to commercial its like YES! its so sweet when it works but then you may be hanging around for the odd payment!

The window cleaning on the building is being undertaken looks like they're not interested in these panels prob for a good reason who knows!
anyhow This thread has run its course thanks to everyone for their input and i mean all of you  will take some information given here away with me and see if i'll quote formally in the first place.