In solar power systems, solar panel cleaning is a key part of keeping the equipment running well. Traditional cleaning methods and solar cleaning robots are the two main ways to clean. Each has its own strengths and challenges. Understanding their features can help us make better choices in real-life situations.
| Evaluation Metric | Traditional Cleaning Methods | Solar Cleaning Robot |
| Initial Capital Investment | Low | High |
| Cleaning Efficiency | Low | High |
| Cleaning Effect | 95% removal rate for stubborn stains, but non-uniformity may cause localized hot spots | Standardized cleaning, 8–15% improvement in generation efficiency |
| Safety Performance | Risk of falls from height | Zero personnel casualty risk |
| Water Consumption | 2–3 L/m² per session | Waterless (dry brush) or <0.1 L/m² (micro-water) |
| Terrain Adaptability | Unlimited: mountainous terrain, flexible mounting, complex rooftops | Multiple limitations: tilt angle 0–30°, frame thickness 35–50 mm |
| Automation Level | Experience-dependent, high-quality variance | AI soiling detection, cloud-based scheduling, >99.5% cleaning coverage |
| Return on Investment (ROI) | No equipment investment, but labor costs increase 8–10% annually | Static payback period: 2–3 years |
| Maintenance Complexity | Simple tool maintenance, <1% failure rate | Requires professional technicians, annual O&M cost 8–12% of equipment value |
1. The Advantages and Challenges of Traditional Cleaning Methods
1.1 Advantages
1.1.1 Precision
Traditional cleaning methods can target specific dirty or blocked areas on solar panels. This ensures that these areas are thoroughly cleaned. As a result, the solar panels can generate electricity more efficiently. For example, for stubborn stains such as bird droppings and resin, manual use of specialized cleaning agents can achieve a removal rate of over 95%, while solar cleaning robots can only achieve 80%.
1.1.2 Low Risk
When done correctly, traditional cleaning methods are less likely to damage solar panels than some automatic cleaning devices. This helps extend the life of the solar panels.
1.1.3 Cost-Effectiveness
For small solar panel cleaning projects, traditional methods are cheaper. There’s no need to buy expensive cleaning equipment. Basic cleaning tools and human labor are all that’s required. This saves on the costs of purchasing and maintaining equipment.
1.1.4 Ease of Operation
Traditional cleaning methods don’t need complex equipment or technical support. As long as there are basic cleaning tools and people, cleaning can be done easily after simple training. The process is simple and easy to follow.
In addition, the mountain agricultural photovoltaic complementary power station allows for flexible operation of portable cleaning equipment that can be carried by humans, while solar cleaning robots are difficult to deploy due to slope limitations (usually ≤ 15 °).
1.1.5 Flexibility
Traditional cleaning methods can be adjusted based on different cleaning needs, site conditions, and the actual state of the solar panels. This allows for the best cleaning results and better adaptation to various complex cleaning situations.
1.2 Challenges
1.2.1 High Labor Demand
Manually cleaning solar panels is labor-intensive. This is especially true for large installations. It takes a lot of people and time to finish the cleaning work. This makes it hard to clean quickly. The high labor demand not only increases cleaning costs but also leads to less frequent cleaning.
For example, manually cleaning a 100MW ground power plant requires a team of 20-30 people and takes 7-10 days, while solar cleaning robots only need 2-3 devices to complete it in 2-3 days.
1.2.2 High Safety Risks
When cleaning solar panels installed at heights, workers face the risk of falling. In high-rise buildings or large solar power plants, manual cleaning involves the danger of working at heights. Accidents can easily happen, which poses a threat to people’s safety.
1.2.3 Water Waste
Many traditional cleaning methods use a lot of water to rinse the solar panels. This not only wastes water but can also cause water pollution. It harms the environment. The traditional water washing method requires 2-3 liters of water per square meter of solar panels, and a single cleaning of a 50MW power plant consumes over 500 tons of water.
1.2.4 Unstable Cleaning Results
The quality of manual cleaning can vary depending on the skills and fatigue levels of the workers. It’s hard to ensure that each cleaning session achieves the desired results. Uneven manual cleaning may cause local obstruction, leading to the ‘hot spot effect’, accelerating component PID decay, and affecting the performance of solar panels.
2. The Pros and Cons of Solar Cleaning Robots
2.1 Advantages
2.1.1 Efficient Cleaning
Solar cleaning robots use advanced cleaning technologies. For example, they use a two-step cleaning process. First, air is used to blow away loose dirt. Then, a microfiber cloth removes stubborn stains. This cleaning method can maximize the performance of solar panels and ensure their power generation efficiency.
2.1.2 Water-Saving and Environmentally Friendly
Many solar cleaning machines use waterless cleaning technology. This reduces water waste. This water-saving feature is especially suitable for areas with limited water resources. It helps reduce the environmental impact.
2.1.3 Reduced Labor Costs
Solar cleaning robots have a high degree of automation and can operate without human intervention. This reduces the labor and time needed for manual cleaning. As a result, labor costs are significantly lowered.
2.1.4 Safety and Reliability
Solar cleaning robots eliminate the risks associated with manual cleaning at heights. Through automated operations, they improve the safety of cleaning work and reduce the risk of accidents.
2.1.5 Intelligent Monitoring
Some solar cleaning robots come with intelligent monitoring systems. Users can check the cleaning status in real-time through a mobile app or cloud platform. The robots can also automatically adjust the cleaning mode based on weather conditions to ensure the best cleaning results.
2.2 Disadvantages
2.2.1 High Equipment Costs
The purchase and installation costs of solar cleaning robots are relatively high. This requires a significant financial investment. This can be a big economic burden for small users or projects with limited budgets when choosing cleaning equipment.
2.2.2 High Maintenance Requirements
As high-tech equipment, solar cleaning robots need professional technicians for maintenance and repair. If a fault occurs, the repair costs can also be high. This adds to the long-term economic burden of using the robots.
2.2.3 Limited Application Scope
Although solar cleaning robots are suitable for many environments, they may not be as flexible as manual cleaning in some special situations. For example, in areas with limited space or complex layouts, the operation of robots may be restricted.
Conventional solar cleaning robots are suitable for component inclination angles of 0-30 ° and frame heights of 35-50mm; for special scenarios such as double-sided components and flexible supports, the adaptation rate is less than 40%.
3. How to Choose the Right Method to Clean Solar Panels?
3.1 Type of Installation
If the solar panels are installed on a small scale and have a complex layout, manual cleaning is more flexible. It can better adapt to solar panels of various shapes and positions. However, for large-scale, uniformly laid-out solar panels, robot cleaning is more efficient. Robots can complete large-area cleaning tasks according to preset programs.
3.2 Geographic Background
In areas with frequent rainfall, rain can naturally wash away some dust. The cleaning demand and frequency are relatively low. Manual cleaning may be enough. In contrast, in areas with a lot of dust and little rainfall, cleaning is needed more often. Robot cleaning can handle continuous cleaning tasks more efficiently. This reduces the labor intensity and time cost of manual cleaning.
3.3 Budget Considerations
It’s necessary to comprehensively evaluate the purchase cost, maintenance cost, and the long-term return on investment of robot cleaning equipment. Compare these with the long-term consumption costs of manual cleaning, such as labor and cleaning agents. Choose the more cost-effective cleaning method.
4. Conclusion
Traditional cleaning methods and solar cleaning robots each have their own strengths and challenges. Traditional methods are strong in flexibility and cost-effectiveness. However, they face problems such as high labor demand and safety risks. On the other hand, cleaning robots are efficient, water-saving, and safe. But they have high equipment costs and maintenance requirements. When choosing a PV panel cleaning method, we should consider factors such as the type of installation, geographic background, and budget. This will help us achieve the best cleaning results and economic benefits.
