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Floating solar panel cleaning, safely on the water.

Floating installations call for a specialised approach. Our team cleans your panels safely and sustainably on the water, so they perform at their best and last longer.

Average yield increase
+8%
Business clients
500+
Countries: BE, NL, FR and DE
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Aerial photo of a floating solar installation on a lake

Why is cleaning a floating installation so important?

Floating solar installations, also known as floating PV, sit on lakes, ponds or reservoirs. The water cools the panels, but it also brings extra soiling from algae, aquatic plants, bird droppings and splashed-up dirt. Once those particles stick, less sunlight reaches the panels and your yield drops.

Stubborn soiling can also lead to hotspots: areas where accumulated dirt or minor damage creates extra heat, causing permanent damage over time. Having your floating installation cleaned regularly keeps your energy output stable and prevents costly repairs or premature replacement. Read more about solar panel cleaning.

Two Solarco operators with a cleaning robot on a floating installation
Floating solar panels on the water

How often should you have a floating installation cleaned?

That varies by location and depends on how polluted the water is. Is your installation in an area with lots of birds, insects or algae? Then it’s more likely to get dirty than on a clear lake or an artificial basin with little organic matter.

In general, we recommend cleaning every one to two years. With heavy soiling, a clean every six months may be needed. Want to know the ideal interval for your installation? Get in touch for tailored advice. We take the water quality, the location and other environmental factors into account.

Our adviceEvery 1–2 yearsEvery six months with lots of birds, insects or algae
See the overview by situation

How do we work at Solarco?

Having your solar panels cleaned doesn’t have to be complicated. You request a quote, we schedule a date and our team does the rest: you don’t even need to be there. Afterwards, you receive a report with before and after photos. No hassle, no surprises, no extra costs.

  1. 1

    Thorough pre-inspection

    A visual and thermal imaging check of your installation. We map hotspots and damage before we start cleaning.

  2. 2

    Robotic cleaning with pure water

    Our certified cleaning robots run on batteries, with no chemicals. Pure water dissolves the dirt and leaves no streaks or residue behind.

  3. 3

    Quality control

    After cleaning, we check every panel again. You receive a detailed report with before and after photos.

  4. 4

    Aftercare and advice

    Based on your installation, its surroundings and your production data, we draw up an optimal cleaning schedule.

Request a quote
Solarco cleaning robot at work on a roof with solar panels, surrounded by trees

The benefits of professional cleaning

  1. 01

    Higher yield

    Various studies show that a clean can improve yield by anywhere from a few percent to as much as 15%, depending on how dirty the panels are.

  2. 02

    Longer lifespan

    Preventing dirt build-up and hotspots helps your whole system last longer.

  3. 03

    Safety and warranty

    Many manufacturers recommend professional cleaning to keep your warranty valid. And climbing onto a roof yourself is not without risk.

  4. 04

    Time savings

    With the right tools and experience, we get a large installation done quickly. You can spend your time on other things.

  5. 05

    Sustainable approach

    Pure water and robotic cleaning keep the use of harmful chemicals to a minimum. Better for the environment and for the panels themselves.

Frequently asked questions about cleaning floating solar panels

Can’t find your question? Browse all frequently asked questions or get in touch.

All frequently asked questions
Doesn’t rain wash away enough dirt?

At most, rain removes loose dust, but it leaves stubborn dirt behind. Bird droppings, mud and other stubborn soiling stay put, which lowers your yield.

Do I need to switch off my installation during cleaning?

No, your installation never needs to be switched off during cleaning.

How can I tell my installation needs cleaning?

Look out for visible soiling such as algae growth, bird droppings and streaks on the panels. Your monitoring system will also often show a sudden drop in yield.

Other installations and sectors

All about solar panel cleaning

What our clients say

5.0Based on 16 Google reviews