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62 E L EC TR I C AL CONNEC T I ON
S PR I NG 20 1 6
CLEANING UPWITH SOLAR
D
id you know that one of the
biggest threats to the efficacy
of solar panels is dust? Airborne
algae, pollen and dust can settle on PV
panels over time, leaving a darkish film
that covers the modules.
It’s a bit like leaving a car outside for
a long time; it accumulates a thick layer
of dirt, which negatively affects the
efficiency of solar systems.
Now installers can form partnerships
with specialised panel cleaning
companies, which will lead to extra
income without any extra work.
Already solar installers work
seriously hard for their money.
Working on sloped roofs and in
cramped spaces, and constantly going
up and down ladders getting the job
done, is no mean feat. So earning a few
extra dollars without the extra hard
labour is an enticing thought.
The process is simple. As part of
the initial sale, an electrician sells
their customer an ongoing panel
maintenance package, to be carried out
by a solar panel cleaning company that
the sparky has previously established
a relationship with. The cleaning
contractors will then carry out the job
and pay the electrician every time said
panels are cleaned.
Generally, the contract will dictate
a clean every six months, so the
electrician will receive ongoing
payments for the life of the partnership.
Solar cleaning company Green
Unicorns founder Brett Jones says his
company partners with a number of
electricians and installation companies
to do everything from small residential
jobs to large scale utilities.
“We have partnerships with
electricians who have only done one
or two installations right through to
companies who have done upwards of
10,000,” he says.
“By using a service like ours, sparkies
don’t have to get bogged down doing
small $89 jobs and can focus on the
bigger picture.”
Brett says electricians will generally
receive around $15 per clean, which
may not seem like a lot but with
ongoing payments on many contracts
it can add up, particularly when the
income is passive.
While Green Unicorns licensees
undergo intense training they aren’t
qualified electricians, so they can’t do
any electrical maintenance during a
clean and are therefore no threat to
a contractor’s business. In fact, most
solar cleaning companies train the
staff to identify potential issues that
would require maintenance from an
electrician, which is then reported back
to the installer of the panels.
In other words, using a solar
cleaning service could lead to new
SOLAR PANELS CAN REPORTEDLY
LOSE UP TO 40% OF THEIR
EFFICIENCY SIMPLY BY BEING
DIRTY. NOW, ELECTRICIANS
CAN CASH IN ON THE RISE OF PV
MODULE CLEANING COMPANIES
WITHOUT LIFTING A FINGER.
JOEYOUNG
REPORTS.
Most solar cleaning companies train staff to identify potential issues that would require
maintenance from an electrician, which is then reported back to the panel installer.
Earning a few extra dollars without the extra hard
labour is an enticing thought.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY