Does cleaning solar panels actually increase output?

Yes, in almost every case where the panels are genuinely soiled — and you can measure it. A proper clean recovers 5–15% of lost performance, and that range is wide because it depends entirely on how dirty the panels were to start with.

Why dirt costs you more than it looks like it should

A solar cell is only as productive as its least-lit section. A band of grime, a line of bird mess, or a shaded corner doesn't just dim that patch — it can drag down the output of the cells wired in series with it. Small, uneven soiling has an outsized effect, which is why "it looks basically clean" is a poor guide to how it's performing.

Measure it, don't assume it

The trouble with the cleaning industry's "up to 30%!" claims is that almost nobody measures. We work out the output your system should be producing from its specs, and note generation before and after a service. If a clean doesn't move your numbers, you should know that too — maybe the panels were already clean, or maybe the real issue is under the glass.

When cleaning isn't the answer

Sometimes output is down and the panels are clean. That points to a fault — a failed cell, a dead string, a tripped inverter — which a clean won't fix. This is exactly why we run a thermal scan during a service: so a cleaning visit can tell you whether you have a cleaning problem or a different one.