We realize that different companies recommend varied ways/products to use on solar modules.  We would like to share our solar module cleaning method with you. 

Before you decide to clean your panels, we strongly advise you to assess your working area.  We do not recommend for non-professionals to climb up onto their roof to clean panels.  There can be several factors that may occur that can lead to potential harm or even death. If your panels are located on your roof feel free to call our office to schedule a panel cleaning.  Our experts are happy to help.  

That being said, this article is aimed at those of you who have ground installations or low arbor modules that can be accessible with a ladder.

We recommend putting together a solar panel cleaning kit before you start to optimize your results.  (You may find other products in addition to/instead of  these to get you started). 

Cleaning Kit 
1.     Brush
        a.     Amazon: Mr. LongArm 0404 Very Soft Flow Thru Non Restrictive Cleaning Brush: starting at $12.09
                i.      http://www.amazon.com/Mr-0404-Flow-Thru-Polyester-Cleaning/dp/B002P45NZ6

2.     Pole
        a.     Amazon: Mr. LongArm 8508 4-Feet to 8-Feet Hydrasoar Flow-Thru Extension Pole: $35.19
                 i.     http://www.amazon.com/Mr-8508-Hydrasoar-Flow-Thru-Extension/dp/B002P47RBY 

3.     Squeegee
         a.     Libman 24in Soft Rubber Floor Squeegee Model #515 $19.99
                  i.   http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200416600_200416600? cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Cleaning%20Equipment%20%2B%20Supplies-_-Brooms%2C%20Brushes%20%2B%20Squeegees-_-132372&ci_sku=132372&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=%7bkeyword%7d

4.     Cleaning Cloth (small and medium)
        a.     Target: Microfiber Cleaning Cloth starting at $10.99
                   i.     http://www.target.com/s/microfiber+cloth

5.     Cleaning Agent  
        a.     Ace Hardware: 64oz Meguiar’s Gold Car Wash $13.99
        b.     Amazon: 64oz Meguiar’s Gold Class Cara Wash $6.97
                           i.     http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Class-Shampoo-Conditioner-64oz/dp/tags-on-product/B0009IQXFO
        c.     Safeway: Distilled white vinegar $2.99

 Directions
In an empty bucket, add 1-2 tbsp soap and 1 cup distilled white vinegar for every gallon of water.  To create soap suds, add water after soap and vinegar.  You will then attach your gentle bristle brush to an extendable pole and dip into cleaning product.  Alternating between circular and up and down motions, gently scrape away at build up, such as water stains, bird droppings, or dirt. Wash away with water and repeat process if necessary.  You may opt to use purified water for better results.  Follow rinse with a squeegee and wipe down with a finish up with a microfiber cleaning cloth.  These cloths are an effective way to leave your modules lint free and smudge proof because of their chemical free, non shed make-up.

Hope this helps and good luck!  Remember, if your modules are in an inconvenient place and would like a Talbott Solar expert to clean them for you, give us a call.  

Best,

The Talbott Team

So you saw the savings that solar gave you in black and white, and now you are hooked—you want to save more.  Who would blame you? 

Take the next step and request an energy home assessment/audit from one of our certified BPI Building Performance Auditors to get the most accurate information on how to optimize your home’s energy efficiency and safety. 

You may be wondering why you need a professional to assess your home when you have read various articles on how to do it yourself.  Well, let’s just answer some questions first, and then we will see if you still want to assess your home yourself. 

Q) Who can request an energy assessment/audit?
     A) Anyone is welcome to request this service. Whether you are a renter, home or business owner, everyone can benefit from an assessment/audit.

Q) What is an energy audit comprised of?
       A)  A carefully executed four step in-house process is preceded by an informational meeting with you, the client, and succeeded by a detailed report created by our auditor. Through this process, our auditor will identify problem areas in your home in order to increase your home’s efficiency. 

4 Step Process

1.  Visual inspection
      ·    Main goal: identify safety/structural issues in both the exterior and interior

2.  Combustion Safety:
     ·     Main goal: inspection of furnace, water heater, oven, other combustible appliances to find CO spillage                   problems
     ·     Combustion Appliance Zone Test-->detect dangerous by-products of combustion that are not properly vented
      ·    Combustible Appliance Draft and Spillage Test->identify if there is a carbon monoxide venting problem, if there is a CO spillage problem
Combustion Gas Analysis-->identify if the fuel supply is properly converting into usable heat

3.  Air Infiltration (Blower Door) Test
     ·     Main goal: identify how unconditioned air is entering your home and pinpoint problem areas through air measurements and calculations
     ·     Blower Door Testà calibrated fan and manometer tracks air flow and building pressures.

4.  Duct Leakage Test
     ·     Main goal: pinpoint root sources of high energy consumption, health and comfort issues (such as: air   leaks, insufficient insulation, moisture, defective ducts, gas leaks, ventilation, inefficient lighting and appliances).
      ·     Duct tester and calibrated monometerà after sealing off all registers, this tester blows air into grill and records leaks

Q) How long will an energy audit take?
     A) About two to three hours

Q) Do I have to stay home during the audit?
      A) You do not have to stay for the entire duration of the audit, but we do recommend that you be present for a portion of it, as it may be a good time to get information from the auditor.

Q) What happens when the audit is over?
      A) You will receive a detailed report on the auditor’s findings along with applicable and useful suggestions on how to optimize your house’s efficiency and advise you on the next steps to take.

Q) How much does an audit cost?
     A) This investment depends on the size of your home or business. Therefore we welcome you to contact our office to get your personalized quote.

Still want to do this yourself?  Go ahead and use our "contact us" form (/contact-sheet.html) to request a phone consultation, leave a post here, or call our office for more information!

Fondly,

The Talbott Team

Hey Talbott Clients, 

Summer is here and we are looking for your suggestions and ideas on blogging topics. We want to answer YOUR questions, so if there if there is anything that you have been curious about or if you would like to see discussion on various topics, please comment here.  Possible topics may include: solar, radiant, our new leasing program, etc.  Otherwise, we always welcome feedback on your solar array production or your comments.  

Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you!

The Talbott Team

We are happy to announce the launching of not only our new website, but our Facebook and Yelp sites for your convenience.  We value what you have to say about our products, services, and energy productivity.  For those reasons it is our pleasure to invite you on to our Facebook Business Page, where you can feel free to post questions, inquiries, or just share experiences you have had with Talbott Solar. We will also be updating our page with exciting new summer projects, updates, and discussion topics.  If you are pleased with our service, why not "like" us?  

Please copy/paste this link for our Facebook Business Page: 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Talbott-Solar-and-Radiant-Homes-INC/280665592031199

Furthermore, we hope that you take this  opportunity to rate us on Yelp, and even leave a comment so that your fellow community members can have an insiders perspective on our services.  

Please click this link for our Yelp Business Page: 
http://www.yelp.com/biz/talbot-solar-and-radiant-homes-inc-davis

As always, we welcome any blog posts here at our Talbott Solar website, so feel free to post questions, inquiries, or anything on your mind about solar.   

We hope that this message finds you in good spirits.  We look forward to hearing from you through our social platforms!

Happy summer, 

The Talbott Team