Maintaining solar panel efficiency requires regular cleaning of their glass surfaces. In 2022, one study described using a transparent zinc/aluminum oxide coating that repels dust via charged particles. However, an earlier robotics solution from Italy's Reiwa Engine garnered less attention despite its ingenious waterless approach.

Reiwa's autonomous cleaning robot, SandStorm, completes its task without liquids. Traditional solar panel washing utilizes large amounts of water, either from high-pressure cleaners or hydraulic brush-equipped tractors emitting CO2. SandStorm offers multiple advantages, including self-charging at docking stations. It navigates autonomously using AI, methodically working at night to avoid shading panels and endangering human operators.

SandStorm reflects growing interest in automated solar plant maintenance. Reiwa Engine signed an agreement with renewable energy company Enel Green Power, which manages solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric facilities. This covers deploying 150 robots at Enel's Spanish photovoltaic plants.

Waterless cleaning sidesteps the wastefulness and emissions of conventional washing methods. Combined with self-charging and autonomous navigation, SandStorm maximizes efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. Nighttime operation prevents energy generation disruption while boosting safety by removing risky manual labor.

Reiwa Engine continues advancing their innovation. Upcoming developments include a mobile base enabling smoother navigation between solar panel rows. Further improvements to autonomy and mobility will amplify SandStorm's maintenance capability.

Solar power's exponential growth heightens the need for effective panel cleansing without expending additional resources. SandStorm represents a pioneering solution, blending sophisticated robotics and AI to sustain renewable energy systems. As Reiwa Engine and collaborators enhance this technology, automated solar plant maintenance could see rapid global adoption.