Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Jsw window cleaning on June 14, 2017, 09:32:47 pm
-
Hi guys I'm looking to add solar panel cleaning to my bag of tools so to speak any tips etc. Please.
-
Customers with solar panels
-
Customers with solar panels
Ye mate a few mentioned needing them done so looking to branch out so they don't look the way of other cleaners
-
Will your pole (s) be able to reach. The angle of many panels on domestic houses require a decent angle to work at to clean them. Therefore, you would need a decent size pole!
What's poles have you got? 35', 44'?
-
Will your pole (s) be able to reach. The angle of many panels on domestic houses require a decent angle to work at to clean them. Therefore, you would need a decent size pole!
What's poles have you got? 35', 44'?
I use an slx 25 at the minute?are you saying I will need to buy a longer pole even to clean a two storey?
-
If it's a newish build house then you might get away with it, but I'd say you'd need an extension to at least 35'.
-
Will your pole (s) be able to reach. The angle of many panels on domestic houses require a decent angle to work at to clean them. Therefore, you would need a decent size pole!
What's poles have you got? 35', 44'?
I use an slx 25 at the minute?are you saying I will need to buy a longer pole even to clean a two storey?
i reckon you will need a 47ft extreme really 9to be covered on all jobs), mainly because the angle you will have to stand at (if doing from the floor) will need the longer pole plus the flex in a pole as good as an slx will probably be to much unless you still a long gooseneck on it to give you extra height above the panel.
-
my Clx 27 (35ft) didn't reach panels on a 3 bed semi
-
extreme 47 and a 90 degree gooseneck mate for solars on 2 storey roofs.no chance with a 25 footer.
-
also if you use a cheaper 40-50 ft pole itll be too bendy at angles.its got to be an xtreme or ultimate pole IMO or the pole will catch on the gutters even if the poles over your head!(from experience!) ;D
-
id say dont bother mate if you havent already got a good quality 40ft-50ft high level pole as you wont make much money on them just cleaning residential solar panels to re coup the cost of an xtreme 47 for example.they only need cleaning once or twice a year. most of the ones i clean are once a year.most customers dont want to pay to have them cleaned IME.
however as i already have a high level pole its a good little add on job to add to the other services i offer.i dont charge too much.i price on time.so if i think itll take 20-30 mins ill charge £30 which i think is a fair price.
you will be able to clean solars on bungalows with your 25 footer though.
-
If you’re looking to be able to offer another service and to give yourself a different type of job to shake your day up and relieve yourself of the boredom I’d go for it. Domestic solar panels you can charge £5.00 a panel. I got an enquiry via e-mail yesterday that I’ll follow up today, its 8 panels, accessible from the road, the quote will be £85.00. 10 of those in a year and you’re most of the way there to paying for a new pole.
-
I occasionally get asked to do solar panels and I use my extreme 47. I have three "regular" customers ask me to do this once a year. Mine is the old extreme with top/middle bottom clamping points plus one xtra on the bottom section.
1. 1930's semi. ground drops a little at the back and I use the pole at 40/42ft
2. 1970's detached - level ground and I use the pole at 35/36ft.
3. 1980's detached - have to stand beyond fishpond - 40/42ft.
-
I agree with Dazmond about the extreme poles but I also agree with Slacky that if you charge proper money you'll make the money back on your new pole and be earning a profit soon enough.
If you make the outlay don't undercharge
-
Customers with solar panels
Ye mate a few mentioned needing them done so looking to branch out so they don't look the way of other cleaners
Try pre-booking enough to buy the equipment you need then go for it.
Anything there after is all good.
-
You cant really go wrong with Gardiner poles, if it doesn't work out you wont be long selling it on you might even make a
profit on it.
-
Will your pole (s) be able to reach. The angle of many panels on domestic houses require a decent angle to work at to clean them. Therefore, you would need a decent size pole!
What's poles have you got? 35', 44'?
I use an slx 25 at the minute?are you saying I will need to buy a longer pole even to clean a two storey?
The SLX25 is a great all round pole.
But for less cost just get the extension #6 + #7. This way it will be cheaper than a brand new pole that wont be used that often. So you can start reaping the profits 💲💲
-
get a rotary brush. Anything else does a poor job of dirty panels in comparison. The industry is currently complaining about a lack of quality in the cleaning of panels.
-
get a rotary brush. Anything else does a poor job of dirty panels in comparison. The industry is currently complaining about a lack of quality in the cleaning of panels.
What, even with Solar Steve on the rampage ;D
-
https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/utility_scale_panel_cleaning_techniques_must_improve_say_asset_owners
-
(https://res.cloudinary.com/dbe1coaue/image/upload/v1497597182/Screenshot_2017-06-16_08.12.08_al4i0M_jievdg.png)
When you pay the crappy rates quoted on here it isn’t just the subcontractor thats to blame.
If there’s room in the market to accommodate a third party to take a cut then the industry has to take a look at itself as well, if they’re complaining about lack of quality in the final clean. Cut out the middle man, work directly with the contractor, establish a working relationship, get value for money.
-
Will your pole (s) be able to reach. The angle of many panels on domestic houses require a decent angle to work at to clean them. Therefore, you would need a decent size pole!
What's poles have you got? 35', 44'?
I use an slx 25 at the minute?are you saying I will need to buy a longer pole even to clean a two storey?
The SLX25 is a great all round pole.
But for less cost just get the extension #6 + #7. This way it will be cheaper than a brand new pole that wont be used that often. So you can start reaping the profits 💲💲
IMHO Slx's longer than 25 feet are not really rigid enough to clean residential solar panels regularly.
Extremes come into their own above these lengths
-
IMHO Slx's longer than 25 feet are not really rigid enough to clean residential solar panels regularly.
Extremes come into their own above these lengths
I'd go to 35' myself, but generally I totally agree with you.
I'm an Xtreme person myself :D
-
Will your pole (s) be able to reach. The angle of many panels on domestic houses require a decent angle to work at to clean them. Therefore, you would need a decent size pole!
What's poles have you got? 35', 44'?
I use an slx 25 at the minute?are you saying I will need to buy a longer pole even to clean a two storey?
The SLX25 is a great all round pole.
But for less cost just get the extension #6 + #7. This way it will be cheaper than a brand new pole that wont be used that often. So you can start reaping the profits 💲💲
you ve obviously not had any experience of cleaning solar panels on 2 story roofs with an slx at 35-40 ft.its virtually impossible as the bend catches on the gutters even held straight over your head!
-
Will your pole (s) be able to reach. The angle of many panels on domestic houses require a decent angle to work at to clean them. Therefore, you would need a decent size pole!
What's poles have you got? 35', 44'?
I use an slx 25 at the minute?are you saying I will need to buy a longer pole even to clean a two storey?
The SLX25 is a great all round pole.
But for less cost just get the extension #6 + #7. This way it will be cheaper than a brand new pole that wont be used that often. So you can start reaping the profits 💲💲
you ve obviously not had any experience of cleaning solar panels on 2 story roofs with an slx at 35-40 ft.its virtually impossible as the bend catches on the gutters even held straight over your head!
I have, on a 35'. But I had a decent angle in which to work, so it wasn't too bad. Just let the weight of the pole do the work and muscle over to the next bank of panels.
I take your point though 👍
-
I often find, "where theres a will, theres a way" helps.
Certain aspects come into play, ones own height, strength and ability and then the quality of the tools in question.
It all depends on the size houses and angle of the roofs//solar panels in which Jws Is planning on cleaning and then being able to improve the quality of his poles for these types of jobs, if need be