Cleaning solar panels is essential for maintaining system efficiency and prolonging their lifespan, yet traditional methods are time-consuming and costly. This article explores the necessity of solar panel maintenance, highlighting how dirt and debris significantly reduce energy output. The original piece by Vu Phong Energy Group emphasizes the role of operation and maintenance (O&M) in solar projects and introduces their advanced robot technology for automated cleaning. This analysis adds practical insights from Vu Phong Energy Group, demonstrating how their solution optimizes O&M workflows, reduces resource consumption, and enhances profitability for solar installations.
Cleaning solar panels is an integral part of the operation and maintenance (O&M) of a photovoltaic system. This crucial activity helps the system run more efficiently and extends the life of the panels and the entire project.
Why is it necessary to clean solar panels?
Solar panels (photovoltaic panels) are composed of many photovoltaic cells that utilize the photovoltaic effect to capture and convert sunlight into electricity. Consequently, if there is significant dust accumulation or debris such as fallen leaves, bird droppings, or other detritus on the surface, the performance of the panel will be adversely affected, thereby reducing the system’s ability to generate electricity. Furthermore, long-term stains that are not cleaned will shorten the panel’s lifespan. Therefore, cleaning solar panels is critical to ensure optimal performance and longevity for both the panels and the projects.
Additionally, while cleaning solar panels, engineers can identify potential risks of damage to the panel array, allowing for timely repairs.
The performance of solar panels will suffer if there is a lot of dust on the surface (Internet photo)
How often should a solar panel be cleaned?
Cleaning solar panels is a necessary component of O&M. For a solar power system to operate stably and sustainably, the investor must implement a periodic O&M plan, including a specific schedule for checking and adjusting the cleaning frequency of the solar panels.
The operation and maintenance of solar power plants or large-scale solar power systems are typically managed by specialized professional units. The O&M work for such systems typically includes processes such as:
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Surveying and assessing environmental impacts that cause dust accumulation and reduced panel performance. Providing advice on appropriate cleaning methods and frequency, along with an analysis of the benefits (such as increased efficiency).
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Delivering packaged cleaning services according to the required cleaning frequency.
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Providing specialized equipment (such as Solar Panel Cleaning Robot, tools, supplies) for cleaning solar panels.
Notably, Vu Phong Energy Group has mastered the technology for evaluating solar energy systems using a non-contact method, which avoids disrupting operation and provides accurate analysis results through software employing AI processing technology. Based on the specific assessment results for each project, Vu Phong will develop an appropriate plan and cleaning frequency for the solar panel array, ensuring the project operates with maximum efficiency and profitability. (For more information on solar power plants, visit https://vuphong.vn/nha-may-dien-mat-troi/.)
VPT – RB1200 – S1 Robot researched and developed by Vu Phong Tech – Vu Phong Energy Group.
For families and businesses installing small and medium-sized solar power systems (on rooftops, factory roofs, offices, buildings, etc.), it is recommended to check for significant dust accumulation quarterly (every 3 months). High-quality solar panels often feature an anti-dust coating and are installed at an angle designed to reduce dust buildup, meaning dust rarely accumulates on the panel’s surface. However, in areas near thermal power plants, concrete, and cement factories, where dust is frequently prevalent, diligent checking and cleaning of solar panels are essential. Alternatively, if you observe a significant amount of fallen leaves, bird droppings, or other debris on the panels, they should be cleaned promptly. (You can learn more about solar power system operation and maintenance here.)
Vu Phong Tech, a technology company and a member of Vu Phong Energy Group, has researched and developed an automatic VPT – RB1200 – S1 Solar Panel Cleaning Robot with remote control to increase the efficiency of solar panel cleaning and make O&M work optimal for operation and maintenance work. This is a 100% “Make in Vietnam” product specifically designed for rooftop solar power systems in factories, offices, commercial centers, and mini-farms. Vu Phong Tech engineers dedicated three years to its research and development, further refining and completing it over two years of operation across more than 300 MWp. The product will soon be available on the market, offering outstanding cleaning performance, ease of operation, greater flexibility, and higher upgradeability while reducing energy and water consumption during operation, thereby helping to improve solar panel efficiency.
Individuals and businesses interested in the VPT – RB1200 – S1 Solar Panel Cleaning Robot are encouraged to contact the Call Center at +84 9 1800 7171 or send an email to hello@vuphong.com for more information.
Vu Phong Energy Group
