SOLAR ROCKER is developed from the DEEP-FRAME ROCKER – now available in 16.5" width (and 22" width on request).

The SOLAR ROCKER features a lockable PIVOT swan neck. Other swan necks are designed for REACH-iT Poles and may or may not fit other poles, or may require adjustments.

Since the effectiveness of the chosen SCRUB depends on the total surface area and applied force, the 16.5" model will be more aggressive than the 22", while the 22" covers half the width of a standard solar panel, reducing the number of passes from multiples of “3 x 16.5"” to “2 x 22".” Applying force on solar panels is not the same as on windows, as panels are angled and often cleaned from the ground.

Most solar panel cleaners are not aware of ARC (Anti-Reflective Coating) on some panels – recognizable by the matte surface, less reflective than regular glass. ARC is a nano-coating that increases the solar gain of a clean panel by 4%. ARC can be easily damaged by overly aggressive brushes or SCRUBS, which is why we designed the SILICON SCRUB for the SOLAR ROCKER – a soft SCRUB with a high friction coefficient that grips dirt on the panels and is self-cleaning so it does not drag dirt across the panel surface. Of course, not all dirt can be removed with the SILICON SCRUB, so other, more aggressive SCRUBS are included in the kit. While we want to protect the ARC, a dirty panel can reduce solar gain by 20–80%, so it is more valuable for the building owner to have clean panels, even if the ARC is slightly compromised.

The SOLAR ROCKER uses a flow rate of 3 LPM because there is always a lot of dirt to remove from the glass, and because the panel is angled, water does not flow off quickly. To help remove dirty water from the panel, four BASE JETS have been added to each side at the bottom of the brush, providing more water to wash away debris during the downward stroke.

The PIVOT on the SOLAR ROCKER can be set at a negative angle, and with our HDG ADAPTOR (included), you can clean panels from the top of the roof, with your rinse bar on the “high side.”

Efficiency always comes from reducing the distance the brush must travel and the force required to clean. It is crucial to match the steering and rinsing to the brush size. It makes no sense to make 10 strokes with a 12" brush requiring four overlaps to traverse a panel, when three sets of 2–3 strokes with a 16.5" SOLAR ROCKER, or two sets of 2–3 strokes with a 22" SOLAR ROCKER, will suffice.

Remember, flow rate is essential for effective rinsing. This is why the SOLAR ROCKER is designed to use RADIAL HI-FLO tubing, 3/8" OD (10 mm). For hose lengths over 75 ft, we usually recommend 1/2" or 5/8" (12–16 mm), but with sufficient pressure, RADIAL HI-FLO can be used up to 150 ft.