After the smoke settles
Wildfire smoke and ash settle on solar panels in a gritty, output-cutting film that shouldn't be wiped dry — the particles are abrasive and can scratch the glass. Inland Humboldt County, around Willow Creek and the eastern county, sees this every fire season. We clean it off safely with a proper soft wash.
This is part of our solar panel cleaning near you across Humboldt County.
Gritty and abrasive
Smoke and ash cleanup has to be done carefully because the settled particles are gritty and abrasive. Wiping a dry ashy panel can grind scratches into the glass and the anti-reflective coating. We soft-wash it off with water instead of dragging grit across the surface.
It cuts output
Ash blocks light the same way moss or droppings do, and a heavy ashfall can noticeably cut output overnight. Inland Humboldt homes near Willow Creek feel this most during fire season. A prompt clean restores the production the ash is stealing.
Clean it right
Smoke and ash removal is a job for a low-pressure soft wash and deionized water, never a dry cloth or a pressure blaster. We lift the film gently and rinse to a spot-free finish. It protects both your output and the glass after a smoke event.
No — dry-wiping abrasive ash can scratch the glass and coating. It should be soft-washed off with water instead.
Yes. Ash forms a light-blocking film that can noticeably cut output, especially after a heavy ashfall.
Cleaned up after fire season the safe way — request a free estimate.
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707-532-4177