Dirt on solar panels can cause losses of between 5% and 30% , and even up to 42% in some cases, according to SolarCleano, a world-leading robotics company based in Luxembourg.
Faced with this impact on project generation and revenue, the company is promoting robotic solutions in Argentina to optimize the maintenance of photovoltaic parks.
“ Maintenance in the parks is not an expense, but an investment , since with periodic cleaning good generation standards are maintained,” stated Francisco Bernardini , CEO of SolarCleano Argentina, during a prominent interview at the Future Energy Summit.
The specialist also revealed that, with three years of local operation and a presence in more than 90 countries , the company seeks to position itself in a market that is beginning to pay more attention to O&M.
“It’s important to keep in mind that 1 millimeter of pollution on the panel can generate a loss of up to 3%. And if that adds up hour by hour or day by day of generation, these are significant losses that prolong the payback period for this investment due to dirt,” Bernardini stated.
Among the standout solutions is the new E1 robot, designed for large plants and capable of cleaning 10 MW per day , both dry and wet. The company also offers equipment adaptable to different terrains, slopes, and park configurations.
The company is also focusing on dry cleaning as a solution to water-related challenges. Furthermore, by reducing manual intervention on electrical equipment, the robots also aim to lower risks and increase cleaning speed.
“And if the park is in suitable condition, whether in a mountainous setting or the string is at a height, there are different robot designs that can be adapted to the park, providing a more efficient solution and allowing for the recovery of energy lost due to dirt,” the interviewee added.
SolarCleano argues that the market is beginning to understand maintenance as part of asset efficiency and not as an additional cost, mainly from 2025 onwards, with a view to maintaining productivity and plant factor at good levels.
Along those lines, it also launches Chemitec products to complement the cleaning and extend its effectiveness on the modules.
“We see how the market is starting to need these types of products or services, because they allow for a faster return on investment,” Bernardini concluded.