Cleaning Solar Arrays

Solar farms are proliferating around the globe. But keeping photovoltaic panels clean—essential for efficient power production—can be tough, especially in the arid conditions of many solar-appropriate regions. If left unattended for just a few days after a sandstorm, grime can stick to panels and make them less effective. The fully autonomous SolarCleano F1A robot is geared for large-scale arrays where water is scarce: Large, thick brushes clean the panels without any hose attachment. The first free-moving solar panel cleaning robot, F1A is remote-controlled, can automatically charge its own battery, and can be programmed to clean at night to avoid interrupting production. When paired with the Luxembourg-based company’s special transporter machine, it can even move from ground-based array to array.

Write to Ciara Nugent at ciara.nugent@time.com.