HOW OFTEN SHOULD A SOLAR PANEL BE CLEANED?
We recommend cleaning your panels a minimum of once a year. Each Site has its own unique environmental surroundings affecting dirt and grime build-up and may require cleaning more often. When dirt begins to gather on the lower edge of your panels this is a good indication they need cleaning. Infrequent cleaning can lead to vegetation growth on panels causing increased dirt levels and reduced PV output.
WHAT TYPE OF MACHINE CLEANS THE PANELS?
A modified Kubota B Series tractor is at the centre of a new business innovation for Australia’s solar farming industry.
The B3150 tractor has been fitted with a new arm that acts as a cleaning brush, and comes equipped with high-tech features bringing automated efficiency to once manual and laborious processes. The rotating brush head can reach 300 to 400 revolutions per minute, and the strategically placed water delivery jets enable extensive solar panel saturation.
Safety and comfort were also serious considerations, given the remote locations, difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions the vehicles may need to operate in across Australia and overseas. We knew we could put the Kubota tractor in the toughest terrain and it could take the heat.
WILL THE MACHINE DAMAGE PANELS?
No, the cleaning brush is made from a material which is proven not to damage solar panels.
The machine is also equipped with an automated driving system which keeps the Cleaning Head a set distance from the panels.
