Company launches fleet of robots transforming solar panel maintenance — here’s how they work [English]

Article by Jon Turi from The Cool Down | Read the full article in English

Solar panels are an incredible technology for generating clean energy, but they face a significant challenge: keeping their surfaces clean. Dust and debris can dramatically reduce their efficiency, sometimes causing energy production to drop by up to 50% in particularly dusty regions. Traditional cleaning methods are expensive and labor-intensive, making it difficult for solar farms to maintain optimal performance.

Enter Ecoppia, a innovative company that has developed autonomous robots specifically designed to clean solar panels. These robots operate at night, using rotating microfiber cloths and air flows to remove dust before it can harden with morning dew. What makes these robots truly remarkable is that they are completely solar-powered and can communicate their operational data through cloud technology, allowing for continuous optimization of their cleaning process.

The impact of these robotic cleaners is substantial. Ecoppia has already deployed its fleet to over 35 large-scale sites, cleaning more than 15.7 billion panels. In the process, they've saved nearly 1.8 billion gallons of water, addressing both energy efficiency and conservation concerns. As the world moves towards ambitious net-zero goals, technologies like these robotic solar panel cleaners will play a crucial role in maximizing renewable energy production.

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