PANEL CLEANING
Brighter panels, better returns: professional cleaing for PV systems
Photovoltaic (PV) panel cleaning is one of our core maintenance activities in the operation of PV parks, because dust, dirt, bird droppings, and other residues reduce the efficiency of panels by blocking sunlight.
WHY CLEANING MATTERS
Energy Yield: Even light soiling can reduce panel efficiency by 2–5%, while heavy soiling (dusty environments, pollen season, agricultural zones) can cut performance by 20% or more.
Longevity: Clean panels operate at optimal temperatures and reduce stress on components, helping extend system life.
Monitoring Accuracy: Dirty panels may trigger false alarms of underperformance in monitoring systems, making it harder to detect real technical faults.
OUR CLEANING METHODS
1. Manual Cleaning
Workers use soft brushes, sponges, or microfiber tools with deionized water.
Effective but labor-intensive; suited for smaller parks.
2. Semi-Automated Cleaning
Robotic brushes or tractor-mounted equipment that sweep across panel rows.
Faster and consistent, reducing labor cost.
3. Fully Automated/Robotic Cleaning
Rail-mounted or autonomous robots clean panels, often water-free (using rotating microfiber rollers).
Common in large-scale plants, especially in arid areas where water is scarce.
4. Water Considerations
Deionized / distilled water prevents mineral deposits (“hard water stains”).
In water-scarce regions, dry cleaning systems are preferable.
OUR BEST PRACTICES
We clean early morning or evening to avoid thermal shock (cold water on hot panels can cause cracks).
We avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive tools.
We integrate cleaning schedules with regular maintenance inspections (checking for cracks, hotspots, loose cabling).
We evaluate cost vs. gain: sometimes the cost of frequent cleaning exceeds the benefit, so analysis with SCADA performance data is crucial.