Sahara sand: how to clean sand from solar panels?

Solar power systems are constantly exposed to changing weather conditions and various sources of contamination. Sandstorms originating in the Sahara have become increasingly frequent in recent years. Before 2010, there were an average of 1 to 2 episodes per year. Since 2010, this frequency has doubled, with 3 to 5 sandstorm episodes per year, and even up to 6 to 8 episodes in some recent years, such as 2021 and 2022. This phenomenon is spreading more and more over the territory, and should continue to worsen in the years to come.

This fouling is rapid, and solar systems can lose up to 50% of their yield in just a few hours. In addition to yield loss, sand build-up can cause hot spots and thus damage solar panels.

When sand falls on photovoltaic systems, it’s important to avoid dry cleaning without appropriate tools, as this could cause scratches on the panels due to the pressure exerted, and in the worst-case scenario compromise the watertightness of the panels.

However, with average gains of 15% in panel productivity, cleaning is essential. For a 100 kWp installation, cleaning allows a surplus production of around 15,000 kWh per year, so the economic importance of cleaning is paramount.

For rapid sand removal in temperate climates, we recommend the use of a water-based cleaning system dedicated to solar power plant cleaning. The Rider family enables you to clean all your rooftop or shade-mounted solar power plants, with or without water, as efficiently as possible, while maintaining operator safety.

For ground-mounted power plants, the WetSlider family offers optimal water cleaning. The WetSlider is the most versatile solution on the market: easy to use, for tight spaces, overhead cable routing, cleaning during panel tracking, adaptable to panel size. The WetSlider family is the perfect solution for cleaning all your ground-mounted power plants.

 Snow on solar panels: what solutions for optimal cleaning?

In northern countries and mountainous regions, snow can be the enemy of solar production. The first problem with snow is a reduction in electricity production due to shading, which quickly leads to a drop in output. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the drop in panel temperature, which prevents maximum energy production.

Snow must be anticipated from the outset of site construction, as it can lead to significant overloads on the panels, and mechanical stresses can damage the panels themselves or the panel structure.

There are several ways to avoid this problem, the simplest of which is to anticipate it at the time of installation. The panels can be tilted more steeply to allow snow to evacuate (30° to 45°). Some solar panels allow you to use part of the solar energy produced to slightly heat the panel, thus allowing the snow to melt.

Solar panel cleaning robots can also be used to remove snow from the cells without damaging the system; the robot can be permanently installed and connected to a sensor for automatic panel cleaning. Mobile cleaning systems can also be used, provided the panels are inclined and cleaning is feasible at low temperatures.