Method and apparatus for cleaning and de-icing wind turbine rotor blades

A method of applying a solution to a rotor blade of a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising a tower and a plurality of rotor blades, said method comprising:

• positioning a rotor blade in an immobile position in a predetermined orientation;
• positioning a tank directly below the rotor blade, the tank containing a cleaning solution;
• positioning a plurality of lifting arms adjacent the rotor blade, the plurality of lifting arms attached to an elliptical spray head, the elliptical spray head is sized to surround a portion of the rotor blade;
• connecting at least one pipe to the elliptical spray head and to a pump operatively coupled to the tank;
• raising the lifting arms to lift the elliptical spray head to a predetermined position along a longitudinal axis of the rotor blade;
• pumping cleaning solution from the tank to the elliptical spray head;
• spraying the cleaning solution onto an outer surface of the rotor blade to clean the rotor blade;
• attaching a first end of a collection curtain to the elliptical spray head and a second end of the collection curtain to the tank;
• permitting spent cleaning solution to run down the outer surface of the rotor blade and fall off the rotor blade;
• and
• collecting the spent cleaning solution in the tank.