What to do after a wildfire ash event
Santa Ana ash can drop production 15–30% in days. Quick, careful response keeps panels from etching.
What you'll learn
- Why ash particles are absorbent and accelerate production loss
- Why dry brushing makes the problem worse (micro-scratches the coating)
- How quickly ash should be removed for full production recovery
- When you can wait for rain and when you really cannot
Step by step
- Do not dry brush, shake, or blow off the panels.
- Wait until panels are cool — early morning or evening.
- If you must rinse before pro cleaning, use a low gentle hose flow.
- Book a full deionized-water soft wash within two weeks.
- Check your monitoring portal — recovery should be visible within 24 hours.
Safety note
After major Santa Ana ash events we book out fast — call early. Production losses compound the longer ash sits bonded to warm glass.
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