If solar panels want to be massive, they first have to solve an unexpected problem: dust.

With tandems of silicon and perovskite, microscopic algae or even flexible materials or offering almost transparent solutions. Over the last few years, scientists dedicated to photovoltaic technology have racked their brains to find increasingly efficient, profitable, resistant and versatile solutions. All in order to facilitate an energy transition already underway and that manages goals as ambitious as the one set by the European Union (EU) itself, which aspires that by 2030 renewables cover close to 45% of final consumption.

Despite all this effort and all these objectives, the truth is that solar energy continues to face a tough enemy: the dust. That’s right, dirt. How and how much it interferes with the efficiency of a solar panel is something that can fluctuate depending on the study that is handled, but they all agree on one point: subtraction.

In 2016, researchers compared a dusty solar module and another that was cleaned daily for five months. The result was later published in an article in the magazine Solar Energy that does not leave big surprises: the efficiency of the first decreased by 29.76% compared to the second, much better care. What’s more, the experts noticed that the particles tended to concentrate in the lower part of the modules, which could lead to permanent damage.

When cleanliness is efficiency

Other studies speak of average losses of 1% of the incident solar radiation directly attributable to dust, performance losses ranging between 8 and 15% per dirt and bird droppings or how in agricultural environments good maintenance can leave up to 30% more efficiency.

What everyone points out is that a good cleaning does the panels good. The challenge comes when this task wants to be done efficiently, without wasting water or even in places that are not easy to access, such as decks and roofs.

the israeli company Blade Ranger ensures that it has the solution: a system that allows the panels to be cleaned automatically, without the intervention of operators or water, a not insignificant feature if we take into account that MIT recently calculated that photovoltaic and concentrated solar power plants spend each year in cleaning tasks from 4.5 to 22.7 million liters per 100 MW, which has already led to solutions such as electrostatic repulsion.

The Pleco Solar robot weighs just 20 kg, works autonomously, is capable of working even on surfaces with a 45-degree inclination, and performs monitoring and analysis tasks in real time. New Scientist ensures that the firm has successfully tested the movement of one of its robots with drones for operations on roofs. In one hour, he calculates that he can clean up to 400 m2.

“The use of Pleco can increase the daily coverage of panels (kW) by around 30%, which boosts daily productivity,” argues the Israeli company, which also includes software with artificial intelligence (AI) to “maximize” ROI —acronym in English for return on investment— of the solar plant.

Blade Ranger is not the only one that has noticed the commercial potential of solutions for the maintenance of photovoltaic installations. In June 2021, Coherent Marketing Insight published a study on the subject that concluded that the market for automatic panel cleaning devices will register a notable rise: from a valuation of 169.3 million dollars in 2020, its authors calculated, it was expected pass to more than 383.2 million dollars in 2028.

“It is expected that water scarcity and the increasing need for smarter solutions will drive market growth during the forecast period. The useful life of solar modules is usually guaranteed for 25 years and, throughout their useful life, cleanliness is essential for efficient generation,” he ditch.

Cover image: Blade Ranger