Safe Solar Clean provides an autonomous, solar‑charged cleaning robot that removes dust and particulates from commercial and utility‑scale photovoltaic modules, restoring output to design levels. The system uses dual helicoidal fiber brushes and an optional water‑spray, operates up to 200 m from a control point, and logs performance data to the operator’s maintenance platform for O&M scheduling.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Accumulated dust, pollen, ash, and industrial particulates create a thin insulating layer on photovoltaic modules, causing shading and reducing energy yield by up to 30 %. Over time this buildup can generate hotspots, accelerate coating degradation, and shorten system lifespan, especially on flat or low‑tilt installations where natural rain wash‑off is limited. Operators of commercial, industrial, and utility‑scale solar assets therefore face lower return on investment and increased maintenance risk without regular cleaning.
Solution
Safe Solar Clean delivers a mechanized, robot‑based cleaning service that restores panel performance to design specifications. The autonomous cleaning robot is solar‑charged, battery‑powered, and remotely operated, eliminating the need for personnel to work at height. Dual helicoidal fiber brushes rotate at 165 rpm to agitate and lift particulate layers without scratching the glass surface, while an integrated water‑spray system supplies on‑site rinsing or optional water‑truck delivery for larger farms. The system supports brush widths up to 2.2 m, enabling rapid coverage of up to 1 MW of installed capacity within two days using a single crew. Data from visual inspections and post‑clean performance metrics are logged and delivered to the operator’s maintenance platform, ensuring traceable compliance and optimized O&M scheduling.
Target Audience
Primary customers are commercial, industrial, and utility‑scale solar plant owners and operators, as well as O&M contractors responsible for photovoltaic asset maintenance.
Features
- Remote‑controlled cleaning robot with a 200 m operational radius, reducing on‑site labor and height‑related safety exposure.
- Dual‑direction helicoidal fiber brushes rotating at 165 rpm, providing uniform agitation and particulate removal without panel surface damage.
- Solar‑charged, high‑capacity battery pack delivering up to 8 hours of continuous cleaning; optional water‑truck integration for >1 MW sites.
- Adjustable brush width up to 2.2 m, scalable for utility‑scale arrays; compatible with roof pitches up to 30° (higher pitches require site assessment).
- Load compliance of ≤0.58 lbf/in² (4000 Pa), well within standard panel rating of 0.75 lbf/in² (5200 Pa).
- Integrated safety documentation: risk assessment, method statement, and certified working‑at‑height procedures; fully insured service crew.
- Post‑clean visual inspection reports and performance verification data exported via API to asset‑management systems.