Solar Panel Installation
MCS-certified domestic install, 3-6kW typical. 0% VAT through March 2027. Tier 1 panels, hybrid inverter, SEG setup.
From £4,500Solar output dropping year on year? Dirty panels, gull droppings, salt deposits and lichen can drag generation down 15-25%. Get matched with a vetted Cornwall solar cleaner — usually clean + check + report in a single visit.
Dirty solar panels generate less. Bird droppings, salt deposits, moss, lichen, pollen and general dust can drag panel output down by 15-25% over a couple of years — and in coastal Cornwall (Newquay, St Ives, Penzance, the Lizard), it happens fast. Seagull and pigeon droppings create hard-baked, opaque deposits that don't wash off in rain. The result: panels generating significantly below their rated capacity for years before anyone notices.
Why DIY isn't a good idea:
What a proper Cornwall solar clean looks like:
Typical Cornwall costs (at time of writing):
How often should you clean? Inland properties: every 2-3 years is usually enough. Coastal Cornwall (within ~3 miles of the sea): annual cleaning is sensible, especially in TR7, TR8, TR11, TR18-TR20, TR26 and the Lizard. Bird-proofing pays for itself fast in coastal towns.
Getting a Cornwall MCS-certified solar panel cleaning specialist shouldn't be a fortnight of cold calls. Here's how it works.
Fill in the quick quote form. Tell us your Cornwall postcode, property type, the job (new install, battery, clean, repair, commercial, farm or holiday let) and rough timing.
We pair you with a vetted Cornwall MCS-certified, RECC-registered solar panel cleaning specialist near you. Site survey arranged direct — usually within 1-2 weeks, faster for repairs.
Survey, written quote, G98 or G99 DNO application, scaffolding, install, commissioning, MCS certification and Smart Export Guarantee paperwork — all handled by your matched installer.
Need something other than solar panel cleaning? We cover the full range of Cornwall solar work — domestic, commercial, farm, holiday let, batteries, cleaning and repair.
MCS-certified domestic install, 3-6kW typical. 0% VAT through March 2027. Tier 1 panels, hybrid inverter, SEG setup.
From £4,500Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5kWh), GivEnergy 5.2-13kWh, Enphase IQ Battery. Hybrid or AC-coupled retrofit.
From £5,500Coastal grime, bird droppings, lichen reduce yield by 5-15%. Pure-water reach systems, annual clean recommended.
From £75/visitInverter replacement (10-12 yr lifespan typical), microinverter swaps, DC isolator failures, full fault diagnosis.
From £150 diagnosticHotels, holiday let portfolios, offices, retail, warehouses. 5-8 year ROI typical with G99 grid connection.
Bespoke quoteAgricultural roof and ground-mount installs. AIA-eligible plant and machinery. Diversification income.
Bespoke quoteOffset guest electricity, EV-charger integration, SEG export income on summer-peak generation.
From £4,500Indicative installed prices for typical 2026 Cornwall jobs. Your matched MCS-certified installer gives a firm written quote after survey.
Entry-level MCS-certified PV install — 7-9 Tier 1 panels, string inverter, SEG setup. 0% VAT to March 2027.
Most common 2026 spec — 10-12 panels, hybrid inverter, GivEnergy or equivalent battery. 0% VAT on full package.
13.5kWh Powerwall 3 fitted to existing PV — AC-coupled or hybrid inverter swap. App control, full home backup option.
Commercial roofs, holiday parks, farms. G99 DNO application included. AIA tax relief and 5-8 year ROI typical.
We cover the whole of Cornwall — find your nearest town to connect with a vetted local MCS-certified solar installer in your area.
Everything you need to know about solar panel cleaning in Cornwall.
Yes — especially in coastal Cornwall. Bird droppings (particularly seagull and pigeon), salt deposits, lichen, moss and pollen can drag panel output down by 15-25% over 2-3 years. Rain doesn't shift baked-on droppings or lichen. In Newquay, St Ives, Penzance, the Lizard and other coastal postcodes, annual cleaning typically pays for itself in the first year via recovered generation.
4-6 panel domestic: £80-£140. 8-12 panels: £120-£200. 14-20 panels: £180-£280. Commercial and farm-scale arrays are quoted on survey. Most cleaners include a visual inspection and output check before/after the clean as standard.
Inland Cornwall: every 2-3 years is usually enough. Coastal Cornwall (within 3 miles of sea): annual is sensible, especially in seagull territory (Newquay, St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, Padstow). If you can see visible bird droppings or lichen on the panels, it's time. If output has dropped year-on-year on your monitoring app, it's time.
Not recommended. Wrong cleaning chemicals damage the anti-reflective coating. Pressure washers force water into junction boxes. Ladder work on a roof is dangerous without proper kit. Live DC panels still generate even with AC isolated. A pro clean costs £80-£280 and includes inspection plus safety — well worth it versus damage or injury risk.
Bird-proofing is a wire-mesh skirt fitted around the perimeter of your panel array to stop seagulls and pigeons nesting underneath. Without it, coastal Cornwall installs (Newquay, St Ives, Penzance, the Lizard) will get nests under the panels within a season, and the droppings problem becomes ongoing. Cost: £15-£25 per metre of perimeter. Usually pays for itself within 2-3 years versus repeat cleaning.
No — pure-water cleaning is the manufacturer-recommended method for panels from JA Solar, REC, Trina, Longi, JinkoSolar and others. What does void warranties: harsh chemicals (detergents, vinegar, ammonia), pressure washers, and walking on the panel surface. Use a vetted MCS-aware cleaner and the warranty is fine.