Why soiling costs more here than almost anywhere
In most climates, regular rainfall rinses panels for free. Los Angeles goes eight or nine months with essentially none — and those are exactly the months when production should be at its annual peak.
So dust, pollen, exhaust particulate, bird droppings and leaf litter accumulate continuously through summer with nothing to clear them. The loss compounds silently, because it happens gradually enough that nobody notices a bad day.
Shading is worse than dust
A thin, even layer of dust causes a modest percentage loss. Localised blocking is far more damaging, because of how panels are wired in series. A single heavily shaded or soiled cell can drag down the output of an entire string, which means one bird dropping in the wrong place costs more than a whole array of light dust.
That is also why the corners and lower edges matter. Debris collects along the frame edge and sits there, and it is the section most casual cleaning misses.
Check your own production data first
You do not need to take our word for it. Nearly every system reports daily output. Compare a clear day this month against a clear day shortly after your last cleaning or the last real rain.
That comparison is worth more than any general estimate, because it reflects your panels, your angle, your roof and your conditions.
How panels have to be cleaned
Purified or deionised water, soft brushes, no harsh detergent and no pressure. Panel surfaces carry an anti-reflective coating that abrasives and aggressive chemicals damage permanently, and a damaged coating costs you output forever.
Hard tap water is its own problem. It dries and leaves mineral spotting, which blocks light in exactly the way you were trying to fix.
Roof-mounted arrays also mean working at height on a surface designed to be walked on as little as possible. That is a genuine reason to hire rather than attempt it with a hose and a ladder.
How often
Twice a year suits most Los Angeles installations. More if you are near open land, heavy traffic, construction, or under trees. After fire season, sooner — ash is fine, alkaline and it bonds.
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Common questions
Does cleaning solar panels really increase output?
Yes, and more here than in rainier climates because nothing rinses them for months. The size of the gain depends on how soiled they are — localised blocking like bird droppings costs far more than even dust, because of how panels are wired.
How do I know if mine need cleaning?
Check your system's production data. Compare a clear day now against a clear day shortly after the last rain or your last cleaning. That tells you more than any general figure.
What do you clean them with?
Purified water and soft brushes. No harsh chemicals, no abrasives and no pressure — panel surfaces have an anti-reflective coating that is permanently damaged by all three.
Will you damage my roof or panels?
We work from the roof as little as possible and never stand on panels. Tell us the array type and roof material when you book so we plan access before arriving.
How often should they be cleaned in Los Angeles?
Twice a year for most installations. More often near open land, heavy traffic or trees, and sooner after fire-season ash, which is alkaline and bonds to the glass.
Can you clean panels and the roof at the same time?
Yes, and it is efficient since access equipment is already set up. Roof cleaning uses low pressure and different chemistry, kept away from the array.