How to Spot a Solar Cleaning Scam Before You Get Pressured Into One

By Miguel, Elite Pressure Wash Services · Bakersfield, CA

If you own solar in Bakersfield, you've probably had someone knock on your door about it.

Some of them are fine. A lot of them aren't. And after enough of those visits, it's easy to start thinking the whole idea of solar cleaning is a scam.

It's not. But there are some real warning signs worth knowing.

7 red flags

• They showed up uninvited and want to start today. A legit company is fine with you taking a day to think.
• "This price is only good right now." Pressure is the oldest trick there is. If the deal disappears when you say "let me think about it," it wasn't a deal.
• Huge promises. "You'll get 40% more power" is a guess at best. How much you get back depends on how dirty your panels are, and nobody knows that before looking.
• The price changes once they're on the roof. You agreed to one number, and suddenly there's a "heavy soiling fee."
• They want full payment before any work.
• They pull out a pressure washer. High pressure can damage panel seals and may go against your manufacturer's cleaning guidelines.
• No real way to look them up. No reviews, no website, no business name you can find.

5 questions to ask anyone before they touch your roof

1. "How do you clean the panels?" You want to hear soft brush and water, not pressure washing or harsh chemicals.
2. "What's the price, and can you send it to me in writing?" A text counts.
3. "Are you insured?" Someone is going to be walking on your roof. Ask for proof.
4. "Where can I read your reviews?" Then actually read a few.
5. "Will you send me before and after photos?" That way you can see what was actually done up there.

A good company will answer all five without getting annoyed.

How to check the results yourself

You don't have to trust anyone's word on whether a cleaning worked. Check your monitoring app. Compare a sunny day before the cleaning to a sunny day after. If the panels were dirty, you'll see it in the numbers.

How we do it

We don't do pressure, and we don't do "today only." You text us when you're ready, we give you a price, and you decide. We send you before and after photos, and you can check your own production numbers afterward.

The bottom line

Solar cleaning isn't a scam. Pressure is the warning sign. Anyone worth hiring will let you take your time, put the price in writing, and show you exactly what they did.