Solar panel cleaning robot or brush: which one?

Four questions to ask first

1. How much panel area needs cleaning?
2. How high are the panels, and can you reach them from the ground?
3. Is the roof flat, gently pitched or steep?
4. How often will you clean, and what is your budget?

There is no single best machine. Use the answers to choose equipment that fits your installation rather than buying more than you need.

Start with area and access

A reachable home roof may be cleaned from the ground with a telescopic pole. Long rows on a large roof take more effort. A robot is intended for much larger, suitable surfaces. None of these options removes the need to assess safety and follow the panel manufacturer's instructions.

PBT telescopic brush

From CHF 299, the PBT telescopic brush includes an aluminium telescopic pole, PBT head and water supply. It is the straightforward option for accessible smaller roofs. Check that the 8 m reach and your position allow safe cleaning before ordering.

Motorised double-disc brush

From CHF 1,390, the motorised double-disc brush's two rotating PBT discs brush and rinse in one pass. Battery-powered operation reduces manual effort on larger areas. Access from the ground or a suitable platform must still be planned.

Remote-controlled cleaning robot

At CHF 9,979, the robot package includes the robot, batteries, Swiss charger, remote control and commissioning. It is intended for large roofs and ground-mounted installations. A demonstration can help establish whether your site suits it.

The options at a glance

• Small accessible roof: PBT telescopic brush (from CHF 299).
• Larger roof and frequent use: motorised double-disc brush (from CHF 1,390).
• Very large installation and intensive use: robot (CHF 9,979).
• Occasional large job: robot rental (mandatory one-off training: CHF 219 per operator).
• Unsafe access or too little time: request a cleaning quote from Solar Equipement.

These are final prices in CHF; Solar Equipement is not subject to VAT. Delivery is free from CHF 100; below this, shipping within Switzerland costs CHF 9.

Consider spare parts and accessories

The purchase price is not the only consideration: think about maintenance over several years. The telescopic brush has a replaceable head and hoses; replacement PBT discs, battery and remote control are available for the motorised brush. Extensions and a garden tap connection kit adapt the equipment to your roof.

These parts are available in our shop, with the same statutory 2-year warranty.

Our advice

Start with the simplest option that meets your needs. A home does not need a robot, and a large industrial roof is not comfortably cleaned by hand.

If you are deciding between two machines, send us the area, height and a few photos of your roof. We can advise you candidly. We offer a demonstration before purchase for the motorised brush and robot, so you can see how they work and decide afterwards.

Buy, rent or request cleaning

If buying a robot is not proportionate to your use, ask about rental in French-speaking Switzerland and neighbouring regions. Mandatory first-rental training costs CHF 219 per operator, once. You can also request an on-site cleaning quote for suitable sites.