Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Carl2009 on September 09, 2013, 03:45:22 pm
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I'm still mulling over offering this but have a few questions for those who offer it:
1) Do you actively advertise it on your van, website and leaflets , or do you just do them if approached?
2) After answering 1), how many, on average, would you say you do a month?
3) What length of pole do you use and have you come across any you can't do?
Re safety, for those interested I contacted the Renewable Energy Assoc and the Solar Trade Association to enquire about safety issues as this is a concern. Neither replied, so I phoned the REA and spoke to Frank Gordon. He wasn't very helpful and said that his colleagues at the STA would be the ones to speak to, but they were all out or busy (they share the same office...). A reply finally came saying,
"The STA (and the REA) are policy focussed organisations, rather than technical experts.
The initial reaction however is that cleaning solar panels should not be a problem at all as they are built to withstand outdoor conditions and tested in all weather conditions.
A large scale installer (there are several listed by postcode on their website here: http://www.solar-trade.org.uk/findamember.cfm) should be able to provide more detailed information if there are problems with wiring.
As non-engineers, they cannot comment on the possibility of completely isolating solar panels, but believe a specialist electrician may be able to assist.
They advise cleaning in the most overcast conditions possible as one way to minimise this danger.".
In the meantime i'd also spoken to Viridian Energy, a manufacturer of PV panels, who said that there should be no risk as all electrics were shielded, but advised insulating gloves and boots. Mind you, if the electrics were faulty and the pole touches your damp T.shirt it could be good night Vienna.
Back to the original question let me know your answers.
Cheers
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1) kinda, it's on the website & flyers etc. but don't push for it.
2) hardly any
3) Extreme 47 + as many extensions as it takes. Not come across one I couldn't do yet but only really look at domestic panels
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Well there's an overwhelming lack of replies to this one. I wasn't expecting Solar Steve to come on and spill the beans ( ;) go on Steve, you know you want to) but thought I might get a bit more of a response. Thanks to Darren though.
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Well there's an overwhelming lack of replies to this one. I wasn't expecting Solar Steve to come on and spill the beans ( ;) go on Steve, you know you want to) but thought I might get a bit more of a response. Thanks to Darren though.
;D Have you read my Renewables Event thread? Or any of my other threads for that matter! Not sure why I bother, but you have some useful info and you are going the right way about implementing it. :)
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Hiya Steve
I appreciate that you've done the work and I don't see why you would want to disclose the info you've found when it's a major part of your business model. Me, well, i'm wondering whether I might make a few extra grand a year, and I don't have a large solar cleaning business to protect. What I shared could be discovered by anyone in a couple of hours.
I did see your stuff about getting a qual in solar cleaning set up. Is that what you mean?
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Hiya Steve
I appreciate that you've done the work and I don't see why you would want to disclose the info you've found when it's a major part of your business model. Me, well, i'm wondering whether I might make a few extra grand a year, and I don't have a large solar cleaning business to protect. What I shared could be discovered by anyone in a couple of hours.
I did see your stuff about getting a qual in solar cleaning set up. Is that what you mean?
:D no, I meant that a lot of people on here give me grief about what I'm doing and what I say about solar panel cleaning. I will be asking some people tomorrow about scope, scale and other things to do with the training course.