Robotic cleaners

India-based Solavio has developed Eco Bot portable and shareable robotic cleaning solution that is compatible with both ground-mount and rooftop PV installations.

Robotics is evolving to ease the maintenance of solar power plants. From drones combined with thermal imaging to the robotic cleaning crew for large-scale solar PV plants, automation and robotics are constantly evolving for the cleaning and maintenance of PV plants.

France’s AX Solar Robot has unveiled two battery-free, hydraulic-powered cleaning solutions for ground-mounted PV plants. It is also distributing a modular battery-powered solution suitable for rooftop installations.

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.