Sandstorm: Autonomous Sustainable Waterless Cleaning Robot for Solar Panels

[Sagar Ali]

August 17, 2023 at 2:08 pm

Sandstorm waterless solar panel cleaning robot by EGP and REIWA is an autonomous and eco-friendly solution to the persistent challenge of photovoltaic panel soiling. The device is exceptional because it has self-sufficient navigation, recharging capabilities, and can adapt to different panel alignments. The system has many benefits, including operational efficiency, safety, plant productivity, reduced CO2 emission, and sustainability. The system has successfully passed all testing stages and soon would be used across solar plants.

A Sicilian start-up has developed an innovative solution for Enel Green Power—an autonomous and sustainable robotic system that cleans photovoltaic panels without the need for water. This remarkable achievement showcases the power of successful innovation.

Considering photovoltaics, dust is a challenging adversary. The issue of soiling, which refers to the build-up of dust, dirt, or sand on PV panels, is far from being a simple matter. While it may appear insignificant initially, it can actually have a significant impact on the efficiency of solar power systems.

The issue is crucial in desert regions, places with minimal rainfall, and areas with extremely dusty soil, where dirt accumulation greatly affects energy production. However, solar power is a concern globally, as panel cleaning incurs costs, including environmental consequences, regardless of the location.

The usual approach consists of using pressure washers or tractors with hydraulic brushes to clean the surfaces. However, both methods require considerable water consumption and result in gas emissions from the motor vehicles employed.

Enel Green Power, in collaboration with REIWA, a pioneering Sicilian startup in robotic technology solutions, has successfully created SandStorm. This innovative cleaning robot not only offers sustainable solar panel cleaning solutions, but it can also be implemented in large solar parks.

Equipped with specially-designed and manufactured brushes, SandStorm is remarkable for its ability to autonomously clean rows of panels. What sets it apart is its autonomous movement and recharging capabilities, as it effortlessly returns to its docking station after completing its task.

SandStorm is a remarkably robust and adaptable machine, capable of effortlessly adjusting to the irregular alignment of panel trackers. It efficiently navigates from one row of panels to the next, easily crossing distances that exceed 50 cm.

Advantages of SandStorm

A number of advantages of this solution are listed below.

1. Easy affordable cleaning: The panels can be easily and affordably cleaned every day, effectively reducing the amount of dirt build-up.

2. Effective Operation: Cleaning robots can effectively operate during nighttime, when productivity is low, effectively preventing any shading of the panels. This not only safeguards the panels against potential electrical imbalances but also minimizes the risk of damage to them.

3. Safety: Operators do not require any human assistance, thereby eliminating any potential risks

4. Sustainability: No water or diesel is used, resulting in the complete elimination of CO2 emissions.

5. Training and employment opportunities: This solution encourages the training of highly qualified personnel, specifically for the purpose of on-site maintenance of robotic devices. As a result, it paves the way for the development of a greater number of specialized employment opportunities.

The waterless PV cleaning solution by EGP and REIWA was tested first in the Enel Green Power Innovation lab at Passo Martino in Catania and then on an industrial scale in a 1-MW section of the EGP Power Plant in Totana, Spain. The cleaning system successfully won the challenges it was put through.

EGP is expanding the use of this technology by signing a contract to deploy approximately 150 robots in two Spanish PV plants, Totana and Las Corchas, with a combined capacity of 135 MW.

Thanks to Kilometro Rosso, one of Europe’s top innovation districts located in Bergamo since 2003, Reiwa received crucial technical, commercial, and strategic support. This support piqued the interest of venture capital fund Cycero, who provided the necessary funding to commence full-scale industrial production.

Another innovative experiment was recently conducted at the EGP facility in Passo Martino. It is a collaborative rover that can navigate independently within a solar park, and has been successfully tested. This wheeled robot is set to revolutionize the efficiency of the SandStorm robots, otherwise known as the cleaners.

By allowing them to effortlessly support rows of panels, this innovation will significantly decrease the need for multiple robots at each plant, thereby streamlining operations and reducing both complexity and initial investment.

As EPG says, “It’s important to be green, but it’s even more so to be green in a sustainable way.” Thus, SandStorm waterless solar panel cleaning robot by EGP and REIWA can effectively revolutionize the industry.