Frequently asked questions

For most homes, every 12 to 18 months. Farms, coastal properties, industrial sites and anywhere near trees or nesting birds usually need cleaning two to four times a year. We'll recommend an interval after your first visit.

Yes. Anything that blocks light reduces output, and because cells are wired in a chain, a small patch of dirt can hold back the whole panel. Light dust has a small effect. Bird droppings, lichen and farm dust have a much bigger one. Try our power loss calculator for an estimate.

Rain washes off loose dust, but not bird droppings, lichen, moss, pollen film or farm dust. Low-angle and flat-roof panels hold dirt even more. Rainwater also leaves mineral marks as it dries.

Yes. We use low-pressure purified water and nothing touches the glass. That's gentler than brushes or pressure washers, and nobody walks on your panels or leans a ladder against them.

Usually not. Purified water does most of the work. For stubborn fouling we use a biodegradable cleaner approved for solar panels, and only where your panel manufacturer allows it.

When debris covers part of a panel, the covered cells stop producing power and start resisting the current from the cells around them. That energy becomes heat. Over time, hot spots can discolour and crack cells and shorten the panel's life. A thermal scan in our Solar Health Check finds them.

A full drone clean, a thermal scan of every panel, a close-up check of frames, fixings, cables and bird guards, inverter readings before and after cleaning, and a written report with any faults marked panel by panel.

Cleaning the wrong way can. Most manufacturers rule out pressure washers, abrasive brushes, harsh detergents and walking on the panels. We follow your manufacturer's guidance and use none of those methods.

Some manufacturers and installers expect panels to be kept reasonably clean and maintained, and a claim can be harder if there's no record of care. Check your warranty document, or send it to us and we'll check it for you.

Yes. Every visit ends with a dated report including before-and-after photos and any damage we found. Keep it with your warranty paperwork.

For seeing what's wrong, usually yes. A drone captures close-up, high-resolution photos of every part of a roof or façade. You'll still need access equipment for the repair itself, but you'll know exactly what needs doing first.

No. We inspect and report. Our report gives your roofer, builder or electrician the photos and locations they need to quote and fix the problem.

Solar thermal scans work best on bright, sunny days when the panels are generating. Building heat-loss surveys work best on cold, still evenings or early mornings between October and March.

Yes. Our photos are dated and taken from known positions, which makes them useful evidence for storm damage or insurance claims.

Most homes cost from £150. Price depends on the number of panels, the height of the building and how easy it is to reach. Our online quote shows homeowners a guide price straight away. Commercial, farm and solar farm jobs are priced per square metre, with discounts for larger sites and regular contracts.

No. We bring our own purified water and power. We need a safe spot to set up, usually a driveway or garden, and access to the outside of the property. We'll confirm the details when we book.

We can't fly safely in strong wind, heavy rain or poor visibility. If the forecast is against us, we'll rearrange at no charge.

Most homes take one to two hours, including setting up. Large commercial roofs and solar farms can take a day or more, and we'll plan the work around your site.

We're based in Exeter and cover about 25 miles as standard, including Exmouth, Sidmouth, Honiton, Tiverton, Crediton, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Torquay, Paignton and Totnes. We also work across the rest of Devon, East Cornwall and West Somerset, where a travel charge may apply.

Yes. Our care plans save 10 to 15% on every visit. We remind you when the next clean is due and book it in. We also work as a subcontractor for solar installers and O&M companies.

We send an invoice after the work is finished. You can pay by bank transfer or card.

Yes. Devon Aeroworks is registered with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as a drone operator, and our pilots hold the CAA qualifications needed for the work we do. Where a job needs extra permission from the CAA, we get it before we fly.

Yes. We hold drone aviation liability and public liability insurance. Commercial customers can request copies of our certificates, risk assessments and method statements before work begins.

Every job is planned in advance. We check the airspace, weather and site hazards, set up a safe working area, and keep people and pets clear while we fly. If conditions change, we stop.

We only photograph the property we've been asked to inspect, and we avoid capturing people or neighbouring gardens. We never use photos of your property in our marketing without your permission. See our privacy policy.