solar cleaning

Case Study

Potential Savings Analysis:
Jetro Cash & Carry Solar Panel Cleaning

Dirty Solar Panels

Executive Summary

This report presents a detailed analysis of the potential energy and financial losses currently being incurred by Jetro Cash & Carry due to soiled solar panels at their New York facility. Based on an assessment of their 250,000-square-foot solar installation, AltitudeWash identified a significant 28% efficiency loss caused by dirt, dust, and debris.

By cleaning the panels, Jetro stands to recover an estimated $186,550 in annual electricity savings, achieving a remarkable 333.8% return on investment with a payback period of just 2.8 months.

Company Overview

Jetro Cash & Carry is a leading wholesale food distributor serving the East Coast market, providing essential food products and supplies to restaurants, retailers, and foodservice establishments across the region. As one of the largest food suppliers in their market, Jetro operates multiple distribution centers and maintains a substantial logistical network to serve thousands of customers daily.

Recognizing the rising costs of commercial electricity and their commitment to environmental responsibility, Jetro made a significant strategic investment in renewable energy infrastructure. Their New York facility features an impressive 250,000-square foot solar panel installation designed to generate clean electricity and substantially reduce their operational costs. This forward-thinking initiative aligns with their business goals of cost optimization, sustainability leadership, and long-term operational efficiency.

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The solar installation represents more than just an environmental statement—it’s a critical business asset designed to provide energy independence and protect against volatile electricity costs. For a company of Jetro’s scale, where energy costs represent a significant portion of operational expenses, this renewable energy investment was positioned to deliver substantial long-term savings while supporting their corporate sustainability mission.

Dirty Solar Panels

Visible dirt and debris accumulation significantly reducing panel efficiency

Challenges:

Despite their substantial investment in solar technology, Jetro was facing a critical but often overlooked challenge that was severely undermining their renewable energy returns. The company was experiencing significant underperformance from their solar installation, though the root cause was not immediately apparent.

The Hidden Problem: Massive Efficiency Loss

Through AltitudeWash’s comprehensive assessment, we identified that Jetro’s solar panels were operating at a devastating 28% efficiency loss due to accumulated dirt, dust, debris, and environmental contaminants. This wasn’t just a minor maintenance issue—it represented a major threat to their business objectives.

Critical Business Impact

This efficiency loss was creating multiple cascading problems for Jetro’s operations:

Financial Drain:

The company was losing substantial money every single day as their solar investment failed to deliver its promised returns. With commercial electricity rates in New York averaging $0.205 per kWh, every kilowatt-hour of lost production directly impacted their bottom line.

Underperforming Asset:

Their significant capital investment in renewable energy infrastructure was not delivering the expected ROI, making it difficult to justify future sustainability initiatives or expansions.

Missed Sustainability Goals:

The reduced energy production meant Jetro was still heavily dependent on grid electricity, undermining their environmental commitments and corporate sustainability objectives.

Operational Cost Pressure:

Rising energy costs were putting pressure on operational margins, particularly critical for a wholesale distributor operating on thin profit margins in a competitive market.

Competitive Disadvantage:

While competitors with clean, efficient solar installations were realizing full energy savings, Jetro was essentially subsidizing higher operational costs due to their underperforming system.

The challenge was particularly acute because solar panel efficiency loss from soiling is often gradual and invisible to daily operations, meaning the financial impact accumulates over time without obvious warning signs.

The Solution

Professional Solar Panel Restoration

AltitudeWash offers a comprehensive solar panel cleaning and restoration service specifically designed for large-scale commercial installations like Jetro’s. Leveraging our 20 years of construction industry experience and cutting-edge drone cleaning technology, we provide a solution that addresses both the immediate efficiency problem and long-term asset maintenance.

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Advanced Assessment

We conduct thorough efficiency analysis to quantify the exact impact of soiling on energy production, providing clear before-and-after metrics.

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Professional-Grade Cleaning

Using specialized equipment and eco-friendly cleaning solutions designed specifically for solar panels, we safely remove all contaminants without damaging the delicate photovoltaic surfaces.

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Drone Technology Integration

Our innovative drone-assisted cleaning capabilities allow us to service large installations efficiently while minimizing operational disruption to the client’s business.

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Comprehensive Service

Beyond cleaning, we provide ongoing maintenance recommendations and monitoring to ensure sustained peak performance.

The Result

Exceptional Return on Investment

The financial impact of restoring Jetro’s solar panels to optimal efficiency delivers immediate and substantial returns that far exceed the service investment.

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Table of comparison
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Investment Analysis

AltitudeWash’s comprehensive cleaning service delivers exceptional value with industry leading returns:

  • Annual Energy Savings: $186,550
  • AltitudeWash Service Investment: $43,000
  • Net Annual Benefit: $143,550
  • Return on Investment: 333.8%
  • Payback Period 2.8 months
  • Break-Even Point: 84 days
  • Cost per Square Foot: $0.17

Ongoing Impact

  • Monthly Savings: $15,546 in recovered energy value every month
  • Daily Recovery: $511 in energy production restored every single day
  • Long-term Value: Over $143,000 in net annual benefit after service costs
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The Conclusion

Jetro Cash & Carry’s commitment to renewable energy and operational efficiency positioned them as a forward-thinking leader in their industry. However, their substantial solar investment was being undermined by a preventable maintenance issue that was costing them $186,550 annually in lost energy production.

AltitudeWash’s professional solar panel cleaning service offers an immediate solution with exceptional returns. At $43,000 for comprehensive cleaning of their 250,000 square-foot installation, Jetro can achieve a 333.8% return on investment with full payback in just 2.8 months.

This represents more than just cleaning—it’s asset optimization that transforms an underperforming investment into a highly profitable renewable energy system. With over $143,000 in net annual benefit, the service pays for itself multiple times over while ensuring Jetro achieves their sustainability goals and operational cost objectives.

For companies like Jetro that have made significant investments in solar infrastructure, professional maintenance isn’t an expense—it’s a critical business strategy that maximizes asset performance and delivers substantial competitive advantages