Robotic cleaners

Israel-based Airtouch Solar has signed a $940,000 contract with Indian developer Hero Future Energies, three weeks after securing a $440,000 project with another developer in India. 

Mumbai-based Cleo Tech has developed a battery-powered, handheld tool for scratch-free, dry cleaning of solar panels. The tool’s cleaning brush clings end-to-end on the aluminum frames of the panels, avoiding direct contact of the moving parts with the cells, other than the soft nylon bristles.

The Israeli robotic cleaning specialist will deploy its E4, T4 as well as the latest H4 products for the Indian developer’s 400 MW solar project that combines fixed-tilt and single-axis trackers.

The Israeli robotic solar cleaning specialist, which has over 3 GW of deployed projects globally, today announced it has bagged an order from global investor Actis for a 150 MW PV project in India. 

Nimish Jain brings to Air Touch India, the India arm of the Israeli robotic cleaning specialist for the solar industry, around 13 years of work experience in renewable energy in new market development, operations, strategy and business development functions. He has worked with companies like Solarig Global, Vikram Solar, and Jinko Solar.

The handheld, cordless cleaning tool is a cost-effective and efficient alternative to automated cleaning robots that are usually limited in operation by panel inclination. 

India’s Aegeus Technologies has developed an autonomous, water-free cleaning bot for rooftop solar installations. The bot weighs 5 kg (with battery) and can be operated remotely through a web-based app. It uses an air wash technology to clean the panels, ensuring no need for water or any harmful chemicals.

In large-scale solar, Adani was the largest developer by capacity, and Sterling & Wilson the preferred EPC partner. Tata Power Solar led in rooftop solar installations.

The solar panel-cleaning robot startup, which saw its sales jump 125 times last year, has thus far raised three levels of funding amounting to INR 2 crore from government bodies in India, Dubai, and Canada. 

Bids are invited to supply, install and commission a module cleaning system for the entire solar plant. The work scope also includes operation and maintenance support for three months after commissioning.