Cleaning the Future: How ISCA and PWNA Are Elevating Solar Safety and Standards

PWNA
4 days ago
8 min read

As the exterior cleaning industry continues to grow, contractors are looking for new, safe, and

profitable ways to expand their services — and solar panel cleaning is quickly rising to the top of that list. At PWNA’s ELEVATE 2026 Convention in Orlando, Florida, power-washing

professionals will have the rare opportunity to learn directly from Steve Williams, founder of the International Solar Cleaning Academy (ISCA) and one of the most respected voices in solar maintenance and safety worldwide. This live training experience will give attendees the

knowledge, tools, and confidence to add solar cleaning to their services the right way — safely, efficiently, and professionally.

Many residential power washing contractors have built their businesses around familiar services—house washing, roof cleaning, and driveway maintenance. As solar panels become more common on residential properties, the work can initially appear similar. The same rooftops, the same clients, and often the same water-fed equipment. At first glance, it looks like familiar work, but the more you look into it, the more you might realized that power

washing and solar cleaning might share the same tools — but they play by completely

different rules.

There’s real electricity involved, manufacturer requirements to follow, and safety hazards most

contractors don’t encounter during a normal house wash. It’s a different world altogether. Still,

it’s hard to ignore the opportunity sitting right there — clean energy meets clean surfaces — and that’s what made me want to learn more.

That’s where Steve Williams, founder of the International Solar Cleaning Academy (ISCA),

comes in. Steve has built his career around solar maintenance and safety training. His

organization has helped contractors all over the world expand into solar cleaning the right way — with proper knowledge, certification, and confidence. What we learned from him completely changed how we look at this part of the industry.

About Steve Williams - ISCA

Steve Williams started his career as a window cleaner, expanding into the wider world of

pressure washing and owned that business for 26 years. He’s now widely known as a

solarpreneur — an entrepreneur who built his more recent career around the booming solar

industry. He is the CEO of Clean Solar Solutions America LLC, founder of the International

Solar Cleaning Academy (ISCA) and numerous other businesses.

With more than a decade of hands-on experience, Steve has become one of the most trusted

voices in solar panel cleaning and maintenance. He began in the United Kingdom, where his

company twice won Best Solar Operations and Maintenance Company and where he

personally earned the title U.K. Solar Innovator of the Year in 2019. Most recently, he was

awarded UK Energy Efficiency Champion of the Year in 2024.

But Steve’s work goes far beyond his own business. Through ISCA, he has trained and certified over 1,100 contractors in dozens of countries, written best-practice guidelines, and partnered with organizations such as the PWNA - Power Washers of North America to improve safety and professionalism worldwide.

He’s cleaned and managed solar sites from small homes to massive commercial farms, so he

knows exactly what challenges contractors face — from electrical safety and roof access to

customer education and pricing. Today, Steve continues to lead the global conversation about solar cleaning, emphasizing safety, training, and professionalism at every level.

Growing Smarter, Not Riskier

For anyone thinking about offering solar cleaning, here’s the truth: it’s not just another upsell — it’s a serious service that requires the right education. With ISCA and PWNA working together, contractors now have a clear path to learn solar safely and profitably.

Adding solar panel cleaning to your business isn’t about chasing a trend — it’s about building a smarter, stronger company that customers can trust. As Steve Williams often says, “The cost of one mistake far outweighs the cost of learning to do it right.”

That philosophy is exactly what ISCA stands for — helping power-washing professionals like us grow safely, sustainably, and with confidence.

Now, Let’s Hear from the Solar Expert

So, if you’re experienced in power washing but new to the solar side — this next part is for you. We sat down with one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry and we talked about safety, opportunity, and what it really takes for contractors like us to start offering solar cleaning the right way.

1. For someone like me who is primarily a house wash provider, why

should I even consider adding solar panel cleaning to my services?

Because solar is everywhere now. Homeowners have invested thousands into their systems,

but most don’t realize they need cleaning for maximum performance and warranty protection.

You’re already on their property, often with pure water setups. Adding solar cleaning creates an easy upsell and positions you as the contractor who looks after the whole home, not just the siding. It’s a natural fit that diversifies your income without reinventing your business.

2. What are the biggest safety risks I should know before even

touching a solar panel?

Electricity. You’re not washing windows here—you’re working around live DC electricity that

does not shut off in sunlight. Add working at height, slippery glass, fragile equipment, and

sometimes poor roof access, and the risks multiply quickly. If you don’t understand electrocution risk, arc flash, PV fire risks and safe navigation of arrays, you’re setting yourself up for a very serious incident.

3. What do you say to contractors who think solar cleaning is just

another rinse with pure water?

That mindset is dangerous. Solar cleaning is not about “making glass shiny.” You’re maintaining an electrical asset. Improper cleaning techniques can scratch panels, damage coatings, void warranties, or worse—create electrocution and fire safety hazards. Pure water alone isn’t enough in every environment. You need training, correct tools, and an understanding of when not to clean.

4. Can you share a real example of what goes wrong when people

don't take safety seriously?

In the early days, I myself have been electrocuted twice. This heightened my desire to train and raise industry standards. More recently, we have heard of fatalities in Brazil and Pakistan as a direct result of cleaning solar panels without training or PPE.

5. Let’s talk about efficiency: what’s the difference between a well-

trained professional and a DIY or untrained contractor?

A trained professional knows how to clean faster, safer, and with better results—without

damaging the panels or voiding warranties. DIY cleaners often miss dirt patterns, leave spotting, or even scratch glass with the wrong brush. A pro adds value by protecting system efficiency, lifespan, and safety. That’s why trained cleaners get repeat contracts—homeowners and commercial clients trust them. More important than that, is the professionals knowledge of the safety risks. They are guaranteed to go home safe if they apply their training. That creates a safe environment for them and their employees.

6. What role does ISCA play in raising industry standards worldwide?

ISCA was founded to give this industry what it lacked: a global safety code and professional

training. We’re certifying cleaners in multiple languages and countries, publishing best practice guides, and working with industry bodies like the PWNA to set standards. Our mission is to make solar cleaning safe, professional, and respected worldwide. That’s the movement we’re building. We are fast becoming industry-recognized, as evidenced by the fact that at least two solar panel cleaning tenders this year have required ISCA certification.

7. You’ve been called a movement leader in solar cleaning. How do

you see the industry evolving over the next 5–10 years?

We’ll see two big shifts:

1. Professionalization. More regulation, more insurance requirements, and safety
standards becoming mandatory.
2. Scale. As solar keeps booming, large firms will outsource cleaning to trained
contractors. Those positioned with ISCA certification will get the contracts.

I expect that in the next 2 years, let alone 5-10 years, solar cleaning won’t be a side hustle—it’ll be a recognized industry in its own right.

8. For PWNA members reading this who are inexperienced, what’s the

single best piece of advice you’d leave them with?

Don’t cut corners on training. The cost of one mistake—injury, electrocution, or damaging a

$200,000 array—far outweighs the investment in learning to do it right from the start. ISCA offer their basic $249 training online which is OSHA Compliant and provides certification. For those really serious about building a solar panel cleaning business, the ‘Business-In-A-Box’ offering from ISCA takes a total novice to someone who builds brand, safety documents,

internal business processes, software, equipment advice and a 3-year business plan to action. It the gold standard of solar panel cleaning business development.

9. What are some common misconceptions homeowners have about

solar panel cleaning that contractors need to be prepared to address?

 “Rain cleans my panels.” No, rain leaves spotting just like on a car windshield.
 “Cleaning voids the warranty.” Done correctly, it actually protects the warranty.
 “Solar panels don’t need maintenance.” They’re an electrical asset—like a car, they

need servicing.

Contractors who can explain these points win the customer’s trust. 10. What types of equipment or tools should every professional solar

cleaner invest in from the start?

An insulated water-fed pole system, a brush designed for solar—not windows—a TDS meter,

the full suite of PPE and fall protection if you’re working at height. Start safe, scale up from

there.

11. How do weather conditions—like extreme heat, cold, or even hard

water areas—change your approach to solar cleaning?

 Heat: Panels can reach 150°F+. You need to understand how to clean efficiently with
glass that has that kind of heat.
 Cold: Ice hazards on glass and frames can make roofs treacherous.
 Hard water: You must manage TDS properly, or you’ll leave mineral deposits that cut
efficiency.

Climate dictates your technique, which is why training is essential.

12. For contractors already familiar with OSHA compliance in house

washing, what additional standards or safety protocols apply

specifically to solar panel cleaning?

Alongside OSHA fall protection and ladder safety, you need to understand:

 NFPA 70E for electrical safety.
 ANSI-standard PPE.
 OSHA understanding for directives that specifically apply to solar panel cleaning,
because they are out there.
 Manufacturer safety directives for panels.
 Fire risk awareness from connectors, birds, or shading.

It’s another layer of compliance, not just a rinse. 13. Can you share a story of a contractor or company that

transitioned into solar cleaning through ISCA training and how it

transformed their business?

We trained Nomadic Home Services based out of San Diego. They have taken our online

training and in-person classes at every opportunity. ISCA training is constantly developing and evolving to suit the market changes. Austin Moyer and Mya Loftus, who own that business, are multiplying their revenue again and again due to their high levels of safety knowledge. Their investment in training and business development from ISCA is reaping rapid gains for them, to the point where Austin is now seeking to become an ISCA Instructor for Southern California. Good for them I say!

Wrapping Up: What Every Contractor Should

Remember

(2025 ISCA Award Winners)

After talking with Steve Williams of ISCA, one thing became clear — solar panel cleaning is an

incredible opportunity, but it’s not something you can jump into without proper training. It may

use the same tools as power washing, but it requires a completely different mindset, skill set, and respect for safety.

Here’s what stood out the most from our conversation:

 Solar cleaning is not the same as window cleaning. Panels are live electrical systems
that can cause electrocution or fires if handled incorrectly.
 Training protects you and your clients. ISCA’s certification courses teach contractors
how to clean panels safely, maintain efficiency, and stay compliant with OSHA and
NFPA standards.
 Education builds trust and business growth. Homeowners are looking for
professionals who understand their systems and can protect their investment.
 Opportunities are growing fast. With more solar installations each year, trained and
certified cleaners will be in higher demand across residential and commercial markets.
 Safety is non-negotiable. From electrical shock to fall hazards, the risks are serious —
but with the right knowledge and equipment, they can be fully controlled.