Terms of service

Last updated: 8 October 2026

These terms explain how quotes, bookings, payment and cancellations work. The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA) and the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) give you rights, and nothing here takes them away [1][3].

Who are we?

Solar & Window Clean is a mobile cleaning business based in Fish Hoek, run by its owner, Cobus Bester.

Solar & Window Clean is a trading name of Cobus Bester (sole proprietor). Not VAT-registered.

What do we clean, and what don't we do?

We clean solar PV panels, solar geyser collectors, and windows and glass on single- and double-storey homes, shopfronts and offices.

We use purified (reverse-osmosis) water, water-fed poles and soft brushes. Our equipment comes from a specialist South African supplier.

What we don't do

• Paving, driveway or patio washing. Cape Town's Water By-law doesn't allow hosing down paved areas with municipal drinking water without the City's written permission [4].
• Roof repairs.
• Plumbing or electrical work on solar systems. We don't open, drain, refill or repair a solar geyser, and we don't touch inverters or wiring. SANS 10106 says solar water heater repairs must be done by, or under, a competent person [13]. For that, call a plumber, an electrician or your installer.
• Work above double-storey.
• Panel inspections or performance reports.

How do quotes work?

You get an all-in quote on WhatsApp before any work starts, and it's your record of what we agreed.

• Send Cobus your suburb, what you'd like cleaned, and a few photos or a short video on WhatsApp.
• Cobus quotes from your photos or video. Your quote sets out what's included and the full price, with travel included.
• The price is agreed on WhatsApp before any work starts, and nothing is added on the day.
• You book by accepting the quote on WhatsApp, for example "Yes, please book it".
• Your quote and booking messages are your written record of the transaction (CPA s26; ECTA s43(1)(m)) [1][3]. Ask Cobus for a copy at any time.

WhatsApp Cobus for a quote

How is the price worked out?

How do you pay?

You pay the amount on your quote, using the methods below.

• Ask Cobus on WhatsApp how you can pay.
• If we ask for a deposit, your quote shows the amount. Any deposit will be reasonable, as section 17 of the CPA requires [3].
• This website doesn't take payments. We'll never ask for your card number, PIN or online-banking password.
• If a message ever says our banking details have changed, call Cobus on 082 332 7646 to check before you pay.

When can the work be done?

We work Monday to Saturday, 08:00–17:00, and agree the date and time with you on WhatsApp when you book.

• We may suggest an early-morning or late-afternoon slot for solar panels and solar geysers. Cool water on hot glass can crack it. Jinko says to clean panels when they're cool to the touch, and LONGi keeps the water-to-panel temperature difference within 10 °C [9][10].
• Weather or safety can move a booking (see "When will we move or stop a job for weather or safety?").

What do we need from you?

We need access to the glass we're cleaning, and anything you know about it before we start.

• A way in: gates open or a code, and pets kept away from the work area.
• Access to an outside tap, if Cobus asks for it when he quotes.
• Anything we should know first, such as cracked glass, a fragile roof, an alarm, or panels you know are damaged.
• For shopfronts, offices and estates, the owner's, body corporate's or managing agent's permission where it's needed.

Can I cancel or move a booking?

Yes. If you need to cancel or move a booking, WhatsApp us as early as you can. This doesn't limit your rights under the Consumer Protection Act [3]. If you agreed to the work by WhatsApp, email or another electronic channel, you may also cancel within 7 days, without reason or penalty (ECTA s44) [2]. This doesn't apply if the work began, with your consent, before the 7 days ended (ECTA s42(2)(d)) [2].

When will we move or stop a job for weather or safety?

We'll reschedule or stop when cleaning would risk damage or injury, and Cobus makes that call on the day.

• Wind above Beaufort 4. Trina tells owners not to clean its panels in wind above Beaufort 4, a moderate breeze of 11–16 knots [6][7]. On a windy south-easter day, we may move your clean to a calmer morning.
• Wet roofs. If the roof is wet, Cobus may move your clean to another day.
• Cracked panel glass. If we see cracked glass on a solar panel, we stop and tell you. Trina and Canadian Solar say panels with cracked glass must not be wet-cleaned, because of the electrical risk [6][8].
• Overhead power lines. Water-fed poles conduct electricity, so they must be kept away from overhead power lines [11]. If lines run too close to the glass, we may not be able to clean it.
• Access we can't use without risk. For example, a fragile or very steep roof, or no firm footing for a ladder.
• Solar geysers. We never touch the manifold or the pipes, which can get extremely hot. We never walk on, lean on or put a ladder against collectors or tubes [12].

If weather or safety stops a job, we'll agree a new date with you.

How do Cape Town's water rules affect your clean?

We follow the City of Cape Town's water rules, including any restrictions it declares.

• If the City declares water restrictions, we follow them, and this can affect how and when we clean [5].
• We never hose down paving, driveways or patios. Cape Town's Water By-law bans doing that with municipal drinking water without written permission [4].

What results should you expect?

We clean carefully and tell you up front about anything that may not come off.

• We never walk on your solar panels.
• Old hard-water stains, etching or old sealant marks may not come off with pure water alone. Cobus will tell you what to expect before he starts.
• Well-established lichen may not lift without risking the glass. We'll tell you before we try.

How do maintenance plans work?

Maintenance plans are available on request, with the terms agreed in writing before a plan starts.

Those written terms include the plan's minimum duration. ECTA requires a supplier to state the minimum duration of an agreement for services supplied on an ongoing basis (s43(1)(q)) [1].

What if something is damaged?

If you notice damage, tell Cobus as soon as possible, with photos if you can.

How do you raise a complaint?

Tell Cobus first, by WhatsApp, phone or email, with details and photos if you have them. He'll work with you to put it right.

Nothing in these terms takes away the rights you have under the CPA or ECTA [1][3].

What about your personal information?

Our Privacy & Cookies page explains what we collect, why, and how we protect it. To request records we hold, use our PAIA manual.

Which law applies, and can these terms change?

These terms are governed by the law of the Republic of South Africa.

We may update these terms, and the "Last updated" date at the top shows the current version.

Questions about these terms?

Ask Cobus before you book. He aims to reply to WhatsApp messages within an hour, Monday to Saturday, 08:00–17:00.

Sources

1. Acts Online, Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002, section 43: Information to be provided (2002).
2. Acts Online, Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002, section 44: Cooling-off period (2002); the exception is in s42(2)(d).
3. Republic of South Africa, Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (Government Gazette 32186) (2008): s17, s26.
4. City of Cape Town, Water By-law 2010, as amended 2018 (unofficial consolidation) (2018), Schedule 1 item 3.
5. City of Cape Town, Water restrictions explained (checked 8 October 2026).
6. Trina Solar, Vertex Series User Manual UM-M-0002 PP7 (2026).
7. Met Office, Beaufort wind force scale (checked 8 October 2026).
8. Canadian Solar, Installation Manual IM/GN-EN/2.0 (2024), §8.
9. Jinko Solar, UL 61730 Installation Manual, Edition 2 (2026).
10. LONGi, PV O&M Module Manual V2 (2024).
11. BWCA (hosted by Ionic Systems), Safe use of water-fed poles (2025).
12. Kwikot, KwikSol Installation and Warranty Manual KW_00018 (2025), §13–14.
13. SABS, SANS 10106: The installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of domestic solar water heating systems (public copy), §7.1.