Solar Panel Cleaning Tractors
A tractor mounted cleaning system is used to clean the solar modules is known as solar panel cleaning tractors.
This tractors contains a cleaning brush setup, a water storage unit, and hydraulic control unit.
This tractor mounted cleaning system drives energy from the tractor to perform the hydraulic operations.
This tractor cleaning method can be used for both dry and wet cleaning purposes. While other methods cannot afford both cleaning methods.
The tractor system used to clean at any soil condition also it can remove high amount of dirt while passing the arrays.
When we are using cleaning tractors we need vehicle passing space between the arrays.
The water usage can be controlled by changing the water outlet unit setup.
Solar Panel Cleaning Robots
This robots are made with a brush arrangement which is mounted on a framed structure.
This robots contains a brush, electronic sensing units, and a driven motor.
The required energy for the robot operation is derived from the solar energy and it was stored in the batteries with it.
In this method we need to place the robot manually between two arrays. Otherwise we need each robot for each array.
Mostly these robots are used for dry cleaning purpose due to electronics components on it. Only few models can support the wet cleaning process.
Solar Panel Manual Cleaning Method
In manual Cleaning few peoples are involved in the cleaning process. They will use water and few soft sponges or non-abrasive brush or mob for the cleaning.
In manual cleaning they will rinse and wash the solar panels with the manual effort.
In manual cleaning we can clean modules on dry and wet cleaning methods based on the dirt condition on the modules.
Mostly manual cleaning methods used for wet cleaning purpose to avoid the scratches on the module during dry cleaning.
Comparison between the Solar Panel Cleaning Tractors and Robots
| Particulars | Tractors | Robot |
| Length of panel covered | Entire length can be covered in a single swipe easily. | Entire Length cannot be covered easily. Few models can cover. |
| Changing array | No need for system changes to move to next array. | Need to dismantle to move to next array. |
| Wet Cleaning | Wet cleaning is possible with the water system mounted itself. | Wet Cleaning not possible which will affect the electrical and electronic components on the robot. |
| Power Source | Using Tractor Power. | Need external power source or batteries. |
| Accuracy | More accurate | Less Accurate |
| Bird droppings/Sticky Particles | Can clean bird droppings, sticky particles. | Cannot clean bird droppings, sticky particles. |
| Night time Use | Can be used in night or low light times | Cannot be used on night or low light times because much robot system uses solar energy as the power source. |
| No. of persons | Single operator is enough | Need minimum two persons needed to change robot to next the array |
| Time Taken | 2 Hours | 3 hours |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance is enough | High maintenance is required |
Comparison between the Solar Panel Cleaning Tractor and Manual Cleaning Method
| Particulars | Tractors | Manual Cleaning |
| Length Covered | Entire Length | Few Feet’s based on brush size and length fittings |
| Wet Cleaning | Possible with water system | Need additional water hoses, water source and pumps |
| Changing array | While Passing the Vehicle | Need To change the brush arrangement |
| Power Source | Uses tractor Power | Need power source from the solar plant to drive the pump |
| Accuracy | High Accurate | Based on the cleaning person |
| Bird dropping / Sticky particles | Can be cleaned easily | Need More effort and wiping |
| No. on persons | One Person | Need more based on the plant size |
| Night time Use | Can be cleaned | Cannot be cleaned due to light availability |
| Time taken | 2 hours | 6 hours for 15 peoples |
| Water Required | 2000 to 4000 liters / MW | 10000 to 15000 Liters / MW |
Cleaning Parameters comparison between Solar Panel Cleaning Tractors vs. Robots vs. Manual Cleaning
| Particulars | Solar Track | Robot | Manual Cleaning |
| Dust, Sand Cleaning Efficiency | 95 to 99 % | 70 to 85 % | 85 to 99 % |
| Bird Dropping / Sticky Particles Cleaning Efficiency | 90 to 99 % | 0 % | 85 to 95 % |
| Time Taken | 2 hours / MW | 3 hours / MW | 8 hours / MW for 10 to 15 Persons |
| No. of panels / Hour | 1500 to 2000 panels | 1000 to 1350 panels | 350 to 500 for 10 to 15 persons |
| Cleaning cost | Rs. 0.5 / Panel (With water) | Rs. 0.7 / panel (without Water) | Rs. 1 /panel (With water) |
| Maintenance | Low Maintenance is enough | Need High Maintenance | Not applicable |
| Inclination level | Possible to clean all inclination on solar system | Not possible for all inclination | Possible to clean all inclination on solar system |