The cleaning robot designed for mobile solar panels

A battery-powered cleaning robot designed and optimised for cleaning floating photovoltaic (PV) installations is being tested at a floating PV array in Spain.

The hyCleaner black solar facelift robot, designed by German firm TG hyLIFT, operates using only water and effectively cleans solar panels without the need for detergent or any chemical additives. Spanish PV supplier Isigenere tested the robot on a 500 kW floating station built on an irrigation pond in Mérida, southern Spain.

Read more: Self-consumption from solar power on the increase in Spain

At the test, the robot used water from an irrigation tank located at the facility, but its manufacturers have assured consumers the cleaner can make use of any viable source of water, such as rainwater, tap water and recycled water, as well from any water preparation systems.

The company states that only natural dirt should be present on the solar panels and therefore any excess water should be safe to be filtered back into the irrigation pond.

The machine can also be driven at differing speeds, depending on the thickness and type of dirt encountered.

With the increase in self-consumption of solar energy, particularly in countries with high levels of sunlight such as Spain, robots such as this could have a place on consumer markets being shaped by the energy transition and digital transformation.

The surfaces of the panels will be cleaned with a single operation, the tests confirmed.

The machine is powered using lithium-ion batteries and the water supply is filtered through a fitting located on its hull. 

The robot can be placed manually on the array and will then driven by an operator from a distance of up to 100m.

Its lightweight design ensures the cleaner causes minimum disturbance while it is being driven across the array. It is also fitted with large wheels to minimise handling issues.

The machine is also fitted with an "edge detection system" - a way of detecting the bot has run out of driving space.

The test confirmed the driver could not steer it over the edge, even with continued mashing of the joystick.

Read more: Foresight Solar buys 99MW worth of energy investments in Spain

The Spanish firm has said the hyCleaner is the perfect design to clean is solar panel arrays as there are no maintenance walkways between rows.

This design is used to maximise space for energy generation, the company added.

TG hyLIFT has confirmed the robot can also be used on inclined surfaces, allowing for greater coverage of PV portfolios.

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