Harnessing Technology
How Robotic Cleaning is Revolutionising Solar Panel Maintenance
Mooikloof Office Park East, Pretoria, South Africa
The Future of Clean Energy
As the world embraces renewable energy, solar power is leading the charge, offering a clean, efficient, and sustainable way to generate electricity. However, the performance of solar panels, the backbone of any solar system, hinges on regular preventative maintenance. Dust, pollen, bird droppings, and other debris can block sunlight, reducing their (solar panels') energy output. Regular cleaning is essential to maximise production and keep solar panels working at their best.
The introduction of robotics in solar maintenance, particularly with robots like SolarCleano, represents a significant advancement. These innovative technologies are transforming solar maintenance by offering a smarter, more efficient solution to keep panels clean and maximize their efficiency.
BT Industrial, Johannesburg, South Africa
Why Regular Solar Panel Cleaning Matters
Maintaining solar panels isn’t just about keeping them spotless for aesthetics. It directly impacts how well they work and how long they last. Dirt and debris reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the cells, and this energy loss can be significant. In fact, studies show that dirty panels can lose up to 70% of their efficiency due to high industrial contaminates & it could be even higher, depending on the environment. Not only does this mean lower energy production, but it also means higher electricity costs over time. What’s more, when dirt creates uneven shading, it can lead to ‘hot spots,’ which not only reduce efficiency but can damage the cells and shorten the lifespan of your panels.
Solar panel efficiency is also heavily influenced by soiling rates, which vary by location and climate. While models typically account for 3-6% soiling loss, our experience at Candi Solar has shown the need to adjust these figures to balance cleaning costs with energy production gains, necessitating more frequent cleaning. For example, areas like industrial zones in KZN build up dust faster during winter than during the wet winter months in the Western Cape. In high-soiling regions, energy output can drop by as much as 30% after just a month without cleaning and up to 50-60% after two months. To avoid this, these areas may need cleaning every 2-3 weeks to ensure optimal performance.
The bottom line: effective cleaning isn’t just about preserving energy production—it’s about protecting your investment in solar technology.
BT Industrial, Johannesburg, South Africa
The Challenges of Traditional Cleaning Methods
For years, manual cleaning has been the standard approach. It’s labour-intensive, requiring teams of workers to physically reach each panel with brushes, water, or cleaning agents. While this method gets the job done, it has significant drawbacks:
High Labour Costs and Safety Risks: Traditional cleaning requires workers to operate in potentially dangerous conditions, especially on large or remote solar farms. This increases labour costs and safety risks.
Inconsistent Results: The effectiveness of manual cleaning can vary due to human performance, leading to uneven results and potentially impacting the efficiency of the solar system.
Risk of Damage: Manual handling increases the likelihood of accidental damage to panels, impairing performance and shortening their lifespan.
Traditional methods can work, but they are only practical at times, especially for large-scale, long-term maintenance. This is where robotic cleaning has proven to be a game-changer.
The Rise of Solar Panel Cleaning Robots
Robots like SolarCleano are transforming solar maintenance by offering a smarter, more efficient solution. Here’s why:
Improved Safety and Lower Costs: Robotic cleaners eliminate the need for workers to physically access panels, reducing safety risks and lowering labour costs.
Consistent Cleaning: These robots are designed for precision, ensuring thorough cleaning every time, which improves efficiency over time.
Less Risk of Damage: With soft brushes and precision controls, robots are less likely to scratch or damage panels, preserving their lifespan.
Water and Energy Efficiency: Robotic systems often use minimal water or dry-cleaning techniques, making them ideal for water-scarce regions. Plus, their energy usage is far less than the energy loss caused by dirty panels.
In short, robotic cleaning delivers faster, more consistent results with fewer workers and at comparable costs to traditional methods.
Traditional Cleaning vs. Robotic Cleaning
When comparing traditional cleaning with robotic methods, the benefits of automation become clear. For example, a traditional cleaning operation at a 1 MW solar site typically requires 4-8 workers and takes 1-2 days. In contrast, a robotic cleaning setup can clean up to 3 MW per day, with only two people required to operate a single robot. This results in faster mobilisation, quicker setup, and significantly reduced health and safety risks at comparable costs to traditional methods—but with far greater efficiency.
Case Study: Schneider Electric
At Candi Solar, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of robotic cleaning. Thaine Sasman, Asset Management Lead at Candi Solar, says: “During a trial at Schneider Electric's solar site in South Africa, the cleaning process, which usually takes most of a day, due to personal and access equipment mobilisation, and then slow manual cleaning, was completed in just two hours—from 8 AM to 10 AM. We have now successfully concluded three cleans at Schneider Electric—thanks to robotic systems.” This speed and efficiency significantly reduce downtime and labour costs while ensuring a more thorough clean.
Similarly, Candi Solar’s Northern Cape portfolio has also seen the successful implementation of robotic cleaning, although some challenges were encountered with curved panels, which required modifications to the robots.
Schneider Electric, Johannesburg, South Africa
Additionally, robotic systems used at Candi’s sites consume significantly less water, about 0.3-0.5L per panel, compared to 1-2L per panel using traditional water-fed pole methods, making them more sustainable.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Solar Panel Maintenance with Robotics
With advancements in robotics and AI, the future of solar panel maintenance looks increasingly automated. Robotic systems will soon offer even more sophisticated monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities, making it easier to optimise cleaning schedules and maximise energy output.
While robotic cleaning offers impressive advantages, it may not suit every site. Robots are highly effective for large-scale solar projects and commercial installations with flat or slightly tilted panels, where accessibility and efficiency are crucial. They excel in environments with frequent soiling, such as desert regions or industrial zones, where regular cleaning is essential for optimal energy output. However, robotic cleaning may be less effective for sites with highly irregular panel layouts, steep inclines, or significant shading, as these conditions can limit the robots' movement and performance.
This is why at Candi Solar, we conduct case-by-case assessments to determine the most suitable approach.
Candi Solar’s Commitment to Excellence
At Candi Solar, we’re not just about installing solar systems; we’re committed to ensuring they deliver maximum energy generation. Our partnership with Newday Cleaning Services and their robotic cleaning systems, such as SolarCleano, are part of our comprehensive maintenance package, offered at no additional cost to our customers. We schedule cleanings based on each site’s specific needs, ensuring peak performance with minimal disruption.
Solar power is the energy of the future, and with robotic cleaning technology, we're helping ensure it stays as efficient and sustainable as possible.
