Solabot dry-cleaning portable tracker cleaning solar panels in the field

Solabot Technologies Pvt Ltd — Dry Cleaning Portable Tracker for Solar Panels

Introduction — Smarter cleaning for higher solar yield

Soiling (dust, pollen, bird droppings, salt and industrial grime) reduces photovoltaic output and raises levelized cost of energy (LCOE). Solabot Technologies Pvt Ltd addresses that problem with an innovative Dry Cleaning Portable Tracker for Solar Panels: an automated, mobile cleaning system that travels with the solar tracker to remove soiling without water, chemicals or heavy manpower. Built for rooftop arrays, ground-mount installations and remote microgrids, Solabot’s solution restores performance, shortens maintenance cycles and reduces operational costs — all while supporting sustainable, water-free maintenance.

What is a Dry Cleaning Portable Tracker?

A Dry Cleaning Portable Tracker is a compact robotic cleaning platform integrated with a tracking mechanism and dry cleaning head that traverses rows of PV modules or follows a single-axis tracker. Unlike water-based wash rigs, Solabot’s design uses specialized brushes, electrostatic/air-assist technology and intelligent motion control to remove particulates gently and thoroughly. Being portable, it can be deployed quickly across different arrays and sites, giving operators flexible, on-demand cleaning capability.

Why choose Solabot’s solution?

Solabot Technologies positions its dry-cleaning tracker as a market-leading option for operators who need reliable, low-water, low-labour cleaning. Key advantages include:

• Waterless maintenance: Eliminates need for scarce water resources — ideal for arid regions and large desert installations.
• Portable & modular: One unit serves multiple arrays; modular attachments support different module sizes and tilt angles.
• Low OPEX: Reduces recurring labour and logistics costs linked to manual cleaning or tanker-based water washes.
• Gentle cleaning: Engineered brush heads and non-abrasive materials protect PV glass and anti-reflective coatings.
• Automated scheduling: Onboard sensors and scheduling software enable regular cleaning runs and condition-based triggers.
• Compatible with trackers: Designed to work on single-axis and fixed-tilt systems; clamps and mounts adapt to common tracker frames.
• Fast ROI: Higher energy yield and lower maintenance CAPEX typically pay back within project-specific timeframes.

Core features and technical highlights

Solabot’s Dry Cleaning Portable Tracker includes a suite of technical features that make it effective across environments:

• Adaptive brush array: Multi-segmented, replaceable brush heads conform to panel curvature and tilt.
• Brushless drive motors: Efficient, maintenance-friendly drives for smooth, consistent travel along module rows.
• Dust-sensing algorithms: Optical and particulate sensors measure soiling levels and trigger cleaning only when needed.
• Autonomous navigation: GPS/RTK optional module for large sites; ultrasonic/ lidar assist for rooftop obstacles.
• Energy-efficient operation: Low-power consumption; can be powered from site AC, DC bus or integrated battery.
• Lightweight chassis: Minimises mechanical stress on tracker bearings and mounting structures.
• Remote monitoring & telemetry: Cloud dashboard for scheduling, performance logs and alerts.
• Safety interlocks: Emergency stop, proximity sensors and compliant electrical protections.

How it works — simple, repeatable process

• Assessment: Sensors scan module strings for soiling or the operator schedules a run via the dashboard.
• Transit: The portable tracker mounts/clamps to the module row or moves on guide rails.
• Cleaning pass: Brushes sweep, air-assist dislodges stubborn dust, and residue is collected or pushed off the module in a managed way.
• Verification: Post-clean sensors confirm improved transmittance; telemetry logs EoC (end of cleaning) values.
• Relocation: Operator or automated routine moves the unit to the next array or stores it until next cycle.

Installation, compatibility and deployment scenarios

Solabot designed the unit for quick field deployment:

• Ground-mount solar farms: Clamps integrate with common tracker rails; multi-row operation supported via short relocation cycles.
• Rooftop PV: Lightweight mounting and compact footprint for rooftop ballast and framed systems.
• Bifacial & thin-film modules: Tooling options allow safe cleaning of sensitive surfaces.
• Off-grid installations: Battery-powered mode supports remote microgrids and islanded sites.

Deployment teams can be trained in a single day; typical site setup includes a brief survey and simple mechanical attachment.

Performance gains — what users can expect

While site-specific results vary with location and soiling profiles, typical benefits include:

• Energy yield recovery: Immediate gains after cleaning, especially in dusty environments — often recovering 5–25% of lost production depending on soiling severity.
• Extended cleaning intervals: Automated scheduling reduces the need for weekly manual wipes; many sites move to monthly or condition-based cycles.
• Lower water footprint: Zero-water cleaning reduces environmental impact and avoids costs tied to tanker logistics.
• Reduced labour exposure: Eliminates repetitive manual tasks on rooftops and improves worker safety.

Solabot can provide pre-deployment modelling to estimate yield improvement and payback for your project.

Maintenance, parts and lifecycle

Solabot’s modular design simplifies upkeep:

• Consumables: Replaceable brushes and filter pads — stocked as spares.
• Service intervals: Routine inspection and brush replacement intervals depend on abrasive dust loads; typical cycles are 3–12 months.
• Remote diagnostics: Firmware updates and diagnostics via secure cloud reduce need for on-site service visits.
• Warranty & support: Standard warranty plus optional extended support contracts and spare-part kits.

Environmental and regulatory benefits

By removing the need for water and detergents, Solabot supports ESG goals and regulatory compliance in water-stressed regions. Reduced transport and manual operations also decrease the carbon footprint associated with maintenance.

Comparing dry cleaning trackers to alternative cleaning methods

• Manual cleaning: Lower upfront cost but higher repetitive labour and safety risk.
• Water-jet systems: Effective but costly in water use and logistics; risk of residue and freeze issues.
• Robotic scrubbers (fixed): High automation but less flexible and often site-specific.
• Solabot portable tracker: Balance of automation, portability, waterless operation and low OPEX.

Conclusion — a practical step toward higher, greener yield

Solabot Technologies Pvt Ltd’s Dry Cleaning Portable Tracker for Solar Panels delivers a pragmatic, scalable way to protect and restore PV yield without relying on water or heavy manpower. It’s particularly compelling for large-scale, arid, or remote installations where logistics and resources make water-based cleaning impractical. By combining autonomy, gentle cleaning technology and a portable form factor, Solabot helps operators cut OPEX, improve energy yield and meet sustainability goals. To evaluate fit for your project, request a site assessment and yield-recovery projection from Solabot’s technical team.

Call to action: Contact Solabot Technologies Pvt Ltd for a demo, site assessment, or pilot deployment and discover how dry cleaning trackers can improve your solar asset performance.