Robotic cleaning of industrial and agricultural PV installations.
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Solarpanels are no longer a novelty—they are now a standard feature on buildings everywhere. Back in late 2006, at the start of the energy transition, panels were new, and following manufacturers’ advice, we all believed they required nomaintenance.
Experience over the years has shown that this belief needs some nuance: while panels do have a degree of self-cleaning, even frequent rainfall isn’t enough to keep them at peak efficiency. Regular cleaning of your solar installation offers clear benefits and ensures you get the most from your investment.
Here arethe main reasons to keep your solar panels clean:
The efficiency of your solar installation is highly dependent on how clean it is. Research by the Flemish Institute for Technological Research, conducted among industrial and agricultural sites, found increased yields ranging from 0.8% up to 16% after cleaning the panels.
On a global scale, contamination is also a significant issue. According to the International Energy Agency, dirt and debris reduce annual energy output by anaverage of 5%, representing a market value loss of 4 to 7 billion euros, depending on current energy prices.
Maintenance— in this case, cleaning — of solar panels is essential for the lifespan of the installation. Dirt or other forms of obstruction on the surface often result in “hotspots.” When one or several cells are covered with dirt, these cells experience highly concentrated shading. These shaded cells will not generate energy, while the surrounding cells will. The generated current flows throughall the cells, including the one that is inactive. That inactive cell will then, instead of producing energy, absorb it and become very hot.
This phenomenon does not necessarily cause immediate damage. When the contaminationis removed in time, the cell will return to normal operation. However, if the hotspot remains for too long or occurs frequently, it can lead to permanentcell damage, electrical short circuits, and, in extreme cases, even firehazards.
Periodic cleaning ensures that the installation is visually inspected on a regular basis. This allows potential issues to be identified and reported in time. Examples include damage caused by weather conditions or pests, as well as structural irregularities that can be detected.
When contamination leads to damage, a technical intervention will be required. It is not always easy to locate and replace the solar panel responsible for the malfunction. Such interventions can result in significant and unpleasant costs.
Both the manufacturer and the installer of your system offer certain warranties. Because solar panels are so low-maintenance, they have a long lifespan, allowing for exceptionally long-term warranties to be provided. However, as with warranties on other products or services, specific conditions apply. Cases of damage or accelerated degradation of the solar panels caused by neglect of the installation — such as a high degree of contamination — are not covered underwarranty.
There is ongoing debate about the aesthetic aspect of solar panels. However, what we can all agree on is that the overall appearance and appeal of a building and its surroundings largely depend on how well they are maintained.