Fullerton’s got sunshine almost year-round, and a lot of homes here have tapped into that with rooftop solar. But when your panels start looking more like a chalkboard than clear glass, you’ve got a problem. They can’t do their job right if they’re covered in gunk.
We had a customer off Euclid and Commonwealth call us last summer. She said her electric bill had gone up, even though her habits hadn’t changed. Turned out her panels were coated in sticky grime from the trees nearby. We gave them a clean that afternoon. The next time we heard from her, she said her production was back where it should be, and she’d set a reminder to have us back every 6 months.
Why Panels in Fullerton Get So Dirty
This part of north Orange County has its own mix of things that cling to solar panels. You’ve got heavy tree coverage in neighborhoods like Raymond Hills and Golden Hill. There’s also ash in the air when brush fires roll through the canyon areas. Then there’s the dust from nearby construction and the occasional splash of bird droppings from crows nesting in old-growth trees near Hillcrest Park.
If you live near Harbor Blvd or off Chapman where there’s more traffic, smog adds another layer of grime. It all stacks up on your panels. Even if you don’t notice it from the ground, your solar system definitely feels it.
What Dirty Panels Really Cost
When panels get covered, even lightly, they lose efficiency. Sometimes you’re looking at a 10% drop. In worse cases, we’ve seen systems lose up to 25%. That’s like throwing away every fourth dollar of savings.
Most folks don’t realize it until they either check their solar production app or get hit with a high electric bill in the middle of summer. That’s usually when we get the call.
How Often Should You Clean Solar Panels in Fullerton?
Every 6 months works for most homes. If you live near wooded areas, get hit with a lot of wind, or have low-sloped roofs where grime settles, it might need to be more often. Homes near Fullerton College or near the 91 Freeway tend to collect more soot and debris, so we’ve got customers who schedule cleanings three times a year.
Rain won’t cut it. It moves dirt around but doesn’t rinse it off. Then the water evaporates and leaves hard spots. If you’ve got mineral buildup from sprinklers too, that’s another thing that messes with panel performance.
What We Use (And What We Don’t)
We don’t use soap. We don’t pressure wash. And we never touch your panels with rough pads or scratchy gear. Instead, we use pure deionized water that dries clear, paired with soft solar brushes designed not to harm the surface or frame.
- Safe for all panel types
- Filtered water so no streaks or hard spots
- No chemicals or runoff that could hurt your landscaping
- Quick service, easy scheduling, no surprises
We’ve cleaned every type of roof in Fullerton too—shingle, tile, flat, even metal. Doesn’t matter what setup you’ve got. We know how to handle it.
Commercial Solar Cleaning in Fullerton
Got panels on a warehouse near Orangethorpe? A church, school, or office building in the downtown area? We clean those too. We work with business owners, property managers, and maintenance teams to clean commercial setups across Fullerton.
If you need it on a rotation, we’ll set that up. If it’s just a one-time clean before summer hits, we’ve got you covered there too. Either way, it’s fast and no-pressure.
One Fullerton Story That Stuck With Us
A guy off Rolling Hills called us in the middle of August. He thought his panels were dying because his output dropped big time. His neighbor suggested a cleaning first. We got up there and, no joke, found a squirrel’s stash of leaves wedged under the panel frame. Looked like it’d been there a while. We cleaned everything out, rinsed down the panels, and a few days later he texted a screenshot showing his system had almost doubled in output.
He ended up referring us to four more people on his street. Stuff like that makes this job worth it.
What to Expect From Us
- Text or call ahead before we arrive
- We bring our own water system if needed
- Soft contact on your roof and gutters
- No boots on panels
- Photo updates before and after
- Optional inspection notes if anything looks off
We’re licensed and insured. If your HOA or building manager needs docs, we’ll send them over. We’ve worked in places like Amerige Heights and gated communities off Bastanchury—so we know the drill.
What If You Clean Them Yourself?
You could. But you better have the right setup. Regular hose water isn’t great—it leaves spots. And most hardware store brushes are too rough. If you slip, that’s a whole different problem. We’ve had more than a few customers tell us they tried once and said never again.
One guy near Laguna Lake used a car brush and left swirl marks. Didn’t even notice until the sun hit the panel just right. We were able to get some of it off, but some scratches are permanent.
Seasonal Tips for Fullerton
Spring brings tree pollen and dust, especially around the older neighborhoods with big sycamores and eucalyptus. Fall kicks up leaf bits and ash, especially if you’re near the trail systems or open hillside areas. Summer has dry dust and smoke in the air. Each season has something that’ll cling to your panels.
If you’ve never cleaned yours or can’t remember when you last did, now’s probably the time. Most people are surprised by how fast they see results.
Booking Is Easy
You can call us or use our contact form. We just need to know how many panels you have and what type of roof you’ve got. We’ll give you a flat rate—no weird upsells or changes after we show up.
And we don’t try to lock you into anything. One-time cleanings, recurring plans, whatever works best for you.
Local Folks, Local Service
We’re based in Orange County. We’ve been working in Fullerton neighborhoods for years. We know how the roofs here are built, what local HOAs ask for, and how to do the job right without making a mess or bothering your neighbors.
Just clean panels, done the right way.
Reach out when you’re ready. We’ll make it simple.