Industry Background
The global photovoltaic (PV) industry is experiencing rapid growth, with 2023 installations reaching 345.5 GW, driven by increasing renewable energy adoption, technological advancements, and supportive policies. Major markets like China, the U.S., and Europe are expanding large-scale solar farms, while emerging regions such as Africa and the Middle East are accelerating installations. This growth has heightened the demand for efficient PV panel cleaning, as dirt and debris can significantly reduce energy output. Governments and regulatory bodies are emphasizing maintenance standards to maximize efficiency and ensure long-term sustainability.
Challenges
Distributed PV Plants
Distributed PV systems, primarily installed on rooftops of residential and industrial buildings, pose significant cleaning challenges:
High Labor Costs: Cleaning dispersed panels requires frequent human intervention, leading to elevated costs.
Safety Hazards: Manual cleaning on rooftops involves risks such as falls, and in industrial settings, workers may face high temperatures and toxic gases.
Inconsistent Cleaning Results: The wide distribution of panels often leads to overlooked sections, resulting in uneven cleaning.
Low Adaptability of Cleaning Robots: Traditional cleaning robots struggle with frequent relocations and require specific pathways. They cannot navigate panel gaps or uneven surfaces, reducing cross-region efficiency.
Centralized PV Plants
Centralized PV plants, typically located in remote, expansive regions, present additional issues:
Complex Relocation: Cleaning vehicles or robots need to be moved often, causing wear and reducing efficiency.
Complex Equipment Operation: Automated systems are often intricate, requiring trained operators.
Poor Terrain Adaptability: Uneven landscapes like slopes and pits challenge traditional cleaning equipment.
Inconsistent Coverage: Large plant areas result in blind spots, reducing overall cleaning effectiveness.
Wisson’s Solution: Orion AP30-P2 Pliabot® Aerial High-pressure Cleaning System
To address the challenges in PV cleaning, Wisson Robotics introduces a comprehensive solution centered around the Orion AP30-P2 Pliabot® Aerial High-pressure Cleaning System. Based on Pliabot® Technology, the AP30-P2 features an aerial multi-angle high-pressure cleaning mechanism, designed to tackle high-altitude cleaning and spraying tasks. The system can hover in the air and perform precise, multi-angle cleaning while enabling rapid transfers between different cleaning zones, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
Benefits
Boosting Power Generation Efficiency: Regular, efficient cleaning ensures sustained panel cleanliness, optimizing energy absorption and stabilizing output.
Reducing Labor and Equipment Costs: The integration of drones and cleaning systems minimizes reliance on human labor and complex machinery, cutting purchase and maintenance expenses.
Enhanced Safety and Usability: Seamless integration with flight control systems allows fully automated cleaning, eliminating the need for direct human operation and enhancing safety.
Comprehensive, High-efficiency Cleaning: The system offers vertical angle adjustments from -60° to +35° and horizontal adjustments of ±45°. A 30L water tank supports extended operations over large panel areas, reducing refill interruptions.
Rapid Deployment: Modular design and clip-on installation enable swift deployment, reducing response times.
Flexible Adaptation Across Scenarios: The AP30-P2’s modular nozzle design accommodates varying surfaces and levels of contamination.
