A PETERCHURCH business which cleans solar panels took on its most high profile job yet in London.

Solar Panel Cleaning was set up just 18 months ago by Ole and Hayley Gjerstad when they were living off-grid near to Hay Bluff.

Since then their business has continued to grow nationwide and in March they cleaned the solar panels on the eco village development BedZED in London.

The Beddington Zero Energy Development is an environmentally friendly housing development in Hackbridge and is the UK's largest mixed use, carbon neutral development.

They worked alongside clients Stellar Solar Installations Ltd to clean the extensive photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roofs.

Mrs Gjerstad said: "This has been a very exciting start to spring for us. My husband, Ole, has worked tirelessly over the past 18 months and as a result our family business is growing from strength to strength."

They were living off-grid on a friend's land in a caravan after they felt renting had become too expensive.

Mrs Gjerstad said: "We had solar panels and I said to my husband, 'Who cleans them?' And it went from there. We then set the business up."

A build-up of dirt on solar panels prevents sunlight reaching the cells and therefore reduces their performance.

The couple also offer a specialised local window cleaning service.

They moved to Peterchurch when Mrs Gjerstad's condition of Chiari malformation deteriorated. The condition means that the lower parts of the brain have been pushed downwards towards the spinal cord.

In May last year Mrs Gjerstad, 38, had major brain surgery at The Walton Centre in Liverpool.

As she was travelling to the pre-operation appointment the car she was travelling in was hit by a milk tanker and she had to be cut out.

She went on to have the operation and said she is now doing well.

They have four children aged 21 to five.

Mrs Gjerstad said: "It has been all really exciting. I am so proud of everything my husband has done.

"He is also a retained fireman in Peterchurch."

To find out more about their company go to http://solarpanelcleaning.me.uk/