Average price for solar panel cleaning in Brisbane

For a standard home in Brisbane, the average price for a professional solar panel clean generally falls between $150 and $350. Some cleaners might start their prices from as low as $89 for a small, easily accessible system. However, most homeowners can expect to pay somewhere in the middle of that range for a thorough, safe clean.

Several factors influence this price:

• System size: The more panels you have, the higher the total cost, though the price per panel might decrease with larger systems.
• Roof height and pitch: A multi-story house or a very steep roof requires extra safety equipment and time, which increases the cost.
• Level of dirt: If your panels haven’t been cleaned in years and are covered in stubborn grime, lichen, or bird droppings, expect to pay more for the extra labour.
• Accessibility: Difficult-to-reach panels will also add to the final bill.

Gigi’s pro tip: When getting quotes, always ask what’s included. A good service should offer more than just a quick wash. Many professionals include a visual inspection of your panels and inverter to check for any obvious issues like cracks, corrosion, or loose wiring. This little extra can save you from bigger headaches down the track.

How much to clean 20 solar panels in Brisbane

A 20-panel system is very common across Brisbane suburbs. For a professional clean of a system this size, you should budget between $240 and $600. A more precise average for Brisbane specifically would be around $200-$300, assuming it’s a single-story home with straightforward roof access. One local company, for example, charges $9 per panel for systems with 16 or more panels, which would put a 20-panel system at $180 plus a travel charge.

If your home is two-storey or has a particularly steep roof, the cost will likely be at the higher end of that range due to the increased safety risks and equipment needed.

Cost to clean solar panels on a two-storey house in Brisbane

Having a two-storey home will almost always increase the cost of cleaning your solar panels. The primary reason for this is safety. Professionals need to use harnesses, temporary anchor points, and other fall-arrest equipment to work safely at that height, which takes more time and specialised gear.

While there isn’t a fixed surcharge, you can generally expect the cost to be 20-50% higher than for a single-storey property. For instance, if a standard clean is $200, the same job on a two-storey house could be closer to $250-$300. A recent job on a double-storey home in Hendra was listed for $250. Always be upfront about your home’s height when getting a quote to ensure the price is accurate and the cleaner arrives with the right safety equipment.

DIY solar panel cleaning vs professional cost Brisbane

It can be tempting to save a few hundred dollars by cleaning your panels yourself. The cost of a squeegee, a soft brush, and some suitable soap is minimal. However, there are significant hidden costs and risks to consider.

• Safety risk: This is the biggest factor. Getting on a wet, potentially slippery roof is dangerous work. Professionals are trained and equipped for this, but for a homeowner, a fall could be catastrophic.
• Risk of damage: Using the wrong tools or techniques can easily damage your panels. High-pressure hoses can break seals and cause water ingress, while abrasive chemicals or brushes can scratch the anti-reflective coating, permanently reducing their efficiency. This damage could void your warranty.
• Effectiveness: A professional knows how to clean panels thoroughly without leaving streaks or residue, ensuring they perform at their best. They also use de-ionised water which dries spot-free.

Cost reality check: The potential savings from a DIY clean (around $200-$300) may not outweigh the risks. If you damage just one panel, the replacement cost could be hundreds of dollars, far more than the price of a professional clean. For most people, hiring a professional is the safer and more cost-effective choice in the long run.

Solar panel cleaning price per panel Brisbane

In Brisbane, the price per panel typically ranges from $9 to $15. Some companies use a sliding scale, where the per-panel cost decreases as the number of panels increases. For example, a local service might charge:

• $12 each for 5 or fewer panels
• $11 each for 10 or fewer panels
• $10 each for 15 or fewer panels
• $9 each for 16 or more panels

Other cleaners might quote a flat rate for a certain number of panels, but the underlying maths usually works out to be within that $9-$15 range. Some sources cite a general Australian average of around $12 per panel.

Commercial solar panel cleaning rates Brisbane

Cleaning commercial solar arrays is a different ball game. These systems are often much larger, and access can be more complex, requiring specialised equipment.

Commercial rates are almost always provided on a custom-quote basis. The price depends on:

• Scale: The sheer number of panels is the biggest factor.
• Location: Ground-mounted solar farms are easier and cheaper to clean than panels on a multi-storey office building.
• Frequency: Many commercial operators offer discounts for regular, scheduled cleaning contracts.

While specific per-panel rates aren’t widely advertised, they are often lower than residential rates due to the scale of the job. The key benefit for businesses is maximising output; a dirty commercial system can lead to significant revenue loss, making professional cleaning a vital maintenance task.

Is it worth the cost?

Studies have shown that dirty panels can lose between 5% and 20% of their efficiency. Whether the cleaning cost is justified by the energy savings depends on how dirty your panels get. In a leafy, dusty part of Brisbane, a clean every 6-12 months is a smart investment. If you’re in a cleaner area and your panels are on a decent tilt, rain might do most of the work for you.

A simple check of your inverter’s output before and after a clean can show you exactly how much difference it makes. For many, ensuring their system is generating as much free electricity as possible makes the modest cost of a professional clean well worth it.

If you’re ready for a proper quote, I can introduce you to a trusted, SAA-accredited local expert who can get your panels safely sparkling again—just fill out the form below.