ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

A Sicilian technology startup has developed an autonomous robot which is said to be able to reduce solar panel maintenance and cleaning costs by up to 80 per cent.

When substances such as dust, dirt or sand are allowed to settle on solar panel surfaces they can significantly reduce the panels' efficiency.

However, full yield may be restored by using power washers to clean the panels, or by driving tractors between the rows while hydraulic brushes sweep away the dirt. But these methods require the use of precious water resources or vehicles which produce emissions. And labour and fuel costs also need to be factored into the equation.

Sicilian startup Reiwa Engine claims its autonomous robot SandStorm is capable of clearing away dust and debris as it moves autonomously along rows of panels, using brushes to remove the debris instead of water.

The machine can be deployed at night to avoid shading the panels during productive hours. And it will automatically return to its docking station when its batteries run low or when it has reached the end of its shift.

Reiwa Engine claims its motor-driven robot is capable of cutting the cost of cleaning and maintaining solar panels by as much as 80 per cent while also reducing operational complexity and the initial investment required.

Trials of SandStorm robots have been taking place at a Spanish power plant. The bots will now be rolled out at solar farms in Totana and Las Corchas in Spain.