06 May 2024 / AirDefender
One of the most common solar panel maintenance services is cleaning. PV panel cleaning is so crucial that solar panel cleaning has become an industry in its own right. Similar to the original industry that it services, the solar cleaning sector has been evolving. In this article, we dive into the current and future directions of the solar cleaning industry, including emerging technologies.
The UK solar energy industry ended 2023 with an installed capacity of 15.7 GW. The 20 largest solar farms combined had an installed capacity of 938.1 MW or the equivalent of millions of PV panels. These panels don’t self-clean and get dirty when exposed to the elements, affecting the electricity production efficiency of the farm.
Between Solar Energy UK’s projection of 40 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030 and the UK government’s target of 70 GW of solar capacity by 2030, there will be even more millions of dirty solar panels needing to be cleaned.
Cleaning photovoltaic panels traditionally involve manual labour, especially on large solar farms. The cleaning process requires that workers scrub on the panels with soft-bristled brushes or sponges with a mild soap solution.
This manual process has multiple drawbacks. The major challenge is scalability. Solar farms contain thousands of PV panels spread over acres of land, making it difficult and time-consuming to reach each panel.
Another challenge of manual solar module cleaning is the cost. Estimates run from £4 to £15 per panel, depending on several factors, including location and number of panels. Most of the costs go toward labour, but they add up for solar farms containing thousands of panels.
Solar farm operators also have to consider the environmental concerns of manual PV panel cleaning. This type of cleaning consumes a lot of water, a precious resource, with estimates of 45 billion litres annually, enough to supply drinking water to 2 million people. In addition, the chemicals in some soap solutions could be harsh on the environment.
In addition, if not properly cleaned, the residues from the soap solution can trap more dirt and grime, forming a vicious cycle of cleaning and getting dirty again. The soap solution can also be harsh on sensitive components on the solar panels.
The technology of solar panel cleaning services has evolved in three directions: automated systems, robotic systems, and eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
As the name suggests, these systems do not require direct human intervention or labour to clean the panels. They are designed to self-operate efficiently at regular intervals. They could be brush-based, meaning a system of brushes that scrubs away dirt on the panels. Some automated systems are water sprinkler-based by using water to rinse off the dirt.
Automated systems offer several advantages. They require minimal maintenance once installed, can work with minimal human intervention, and reduce the risk of injury during cleaning maintenance services. They can also be operated remotely.
These types of cleaners use autonomous robot cleaners that crawl over the surface of the solar panels and remove dirt and debris. They are equipped with sophisticated sensors that allow the cleaning tools to adapt to different panels without damaging them.
Robotic cleaners can remove dirt at scheduled intervals. They reduce labour costs, in addition to precision cleaning, as they can cover every inch of each panel while minimizing water use.
The growing robotic cleaner trend is not mistakable, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.11 percent predicted from 2022 (market size of $118.32 million) to 2032 ($282.92 million) in Europe.
Solar energy is a clean source of energy, hence, there is a focus on its impact on the environment. Solar farm operators have been adopting eco-friendly cleaning solutions that help to cut water consumption. They are made from biodegradable formulas that remove dirt and grime without damaging the panels or the environment.
The use of eco-friendly cleaning solutions helps cut water usage, conserve the environment, and comply with the UK government’s sustainability goals.
Solar farm operators generate more revenue when their PV panels are cleaned regularly. This is because the panels work at or near the maximum efficiency. However, apart from the improved electricity production, these technologies help in long-term savings as they extend the lifespan of the equipment.
Other benefits include water conservation and, reduction in reliance on fossil fuels, hence, minimising carbon footprint. They also create employment opportunities as skilled workers are needed to develop, maintain, and use the system.
The solar panel cleaning sector is one to watch, especially for investors. The market was estimated at $560 million dollars with a projected 11 per cent CAGR through 2026. This growth will be driven by the boom in commercial solar installation and focus on efficiency optimization to boost revenue (a reduction in solar output by 4 per cent could cost the solar industry up to $5.5 billion annually) and more stringent government policies on environmental protection.
In addition, technologies such as AI and cloud computing will improve the efficiency of automated and robot solar panel cleaning systems while reducing costs.
Other emerging technologies include non-water-based solutions like electrostatic cleaning, which uses charges on the PV panels to attract and remove dust particles.
Other solutions promise solar panels self-cleaning by harnessing nature. Eco-friendly solutions ensure consistent pristine surfaces by preventing dirt and other particles from sticking to solar panel surfaces and washing them away by rain and wind. They help to avoid the risks of panel scraping and abrasion due to other methods of cleaning PV panels.
The solar panel cleaning business will continue to grow in the UK, driven by factors such as a focus on production efficiency, more stringent environmental policies, and expansion in installed solar capacity. The future of the cleaning sub-sector will be shaped by emerging technologies such as self-cleaning and electrostatic cleaning solutions, AI, and cloud computing.
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