Regular cleaning of solar panels is important to remove dirt, dust, and other debris that can reduce the panels' efficiency. However, cleaning can be time-consuming and costly, especially for large solar farms or installations that are difficult to access.
The use of drones opens up new possibilities in this area. Specially developed cleaning agents can be sprayed directly onto dirty solar panels. This makes it possible to efficiently clean even large areas and hard-to-reach spots.
With its solar module cleaners, Emil Otto has developed cleaning agents designed for use on solar cells that also support cleaning via drones.
Discover Emil Otto's solar panel cleaners for reliable, gentle, and residue-free cleaning of solar panels—even using drone technology.
Regular cleaning helps maintain the performance of solar panels
Solar panels are exposed to various environmental factors during operation. Dirt, dust, and other deposits can accumulate on their surfaces and reduce the modules' efficiency. Regularly removing this dirt helps restore the solar modules to their optimal efficiency.
Conventional cleaning methods can be time-consuming and costly, especially when dealing with large areas or hard-to-reach spots. Drones make it possible to reach such areas precisely and in a relatively short amount of time.
Drone cleaning for large and hard-to-reach solar panels
In drone-assisted solar panel cleaning, specially developed cleaning agents are sprayed directly onto dirty areas of the solar panels. This makes it possible to efficiently clean large solar panel surfaces and hard-to-reach areas in particular. The choice of cleaning agent is crucial: It must provide high cleaning performance while also being formulated in such a way that it does not damage the sensitive surfaces of the solar panels.
“I see a significant advantage in using modern drone technology, especially for large solar arrays and hard-to-reach areas. It is crucial that the cleaning agent not only cleans effectively but is also environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and tailored to the specific requirements of the solar panels.”
Appropriate cleaning agents for different types of dirt
Not all types of contamination require the same cleaning methods. Depending on the type of deposits, different cleaning agents may therefore be used.
- alkaline cleaners
- acidic cleaners
- neutral cleaners
- lime and lime compounds
- additional salt contamination
- deposits
- lichens
- mosses
- algae
- soot
- exhaust gases
- dust
- kerosene
Solar farms located near highways or other transportation hubs, in particular, may be subject to additional contamination. In practice, for example, contamination from soot, exhaust fumes, dust, or kerosene can occur in these areas.
Residue-free and gentle cleaning of solar panels
For drone-assisted cleaning, it is not only crucial that dirt be reliably removed. It is equally important that no problematic residues remain on the solar panels after the cleaning process. Emil Otto’s cleaning agents leave no greasy residues that can stick together and harden under UV radiation. As a result, no additional manual or mechanical post-cleaning is required after drone-assisted application. At the same time, the cleaners are gentle on the solar system and other materials used. They are also non-aggressive toward electronic components.
For more information on gentle cleaning methods for solar panels in agrivoltaic systems, click here.
Reduced Work Time and Downtime Through Drone Cleaning
The combination of drone technology and appropriate cleaning agents can reduce the effort required to clean solar panels. Large areas can be cleaned quickly, and hard-to-reach areas can be accessed.
„In my view, the real added value comes from combining a drone with the right cleaning agent. This can reduce work time and downtime while enabling efficient and environmentally friendly cleaning.“
According to Emil Otto, this minimizes labor and downtime and reduces costs. At the same time, the environmentally friendly cleaning agents contribute to the sustainable maintenance of the solar panels. Thus, the combination of a drone and a cleaning agent tailored to it supports both efficient cleaning and the long-term operation of the solar system.
We would be happy to advise you personally and help you choose the right solution for your needs.
