Cleaning photovoltaic panels represents a significant challenge for the renewable energy sector, especially in regions with water scarcity. Traditional methods use large volumes of water, which compromises sustainability and increases operating costs. Aware of this reality, Engie Brasil has partnered with the startup Solar Bot to develop a technological solution that eliminates the need for water in this process.
The project involves the creation of an autonomous dry cleaning robot, with remote operation, energy self-sufficiency and integration with a digital platform for monitoring operational data. With an investment of R$3,56 million, the initiative is being conducted within the scope of the RDI (Research, Development and Innovation) program, regulated by ANEEL (National Electric Energy Agency), and is scheduled for completion in October 2026.
According to Engie, the accumulation of dirt in the modules can reduce energy generation by up to 15%. In addition to restoring this efficiency, the robot should contribute to the preservation of water resources, reduce maintenance costs and minimize the risk of structural damage to the panels.
The partnership also includes the development of a charging and resting station for the robot, rails or other solutions to overcome obstacles between the panels, as well as a supervisory system with an integrated dashboard. All technology and operational management involved in the project will be developed on a national basis.
According to Felipe Rejes de Simoni, Performance and Innovation Manager at Engie, conventional cleaning with water – in addition to being unsustainable in semi-arid regions – is operationally complex, costly and can cause damage to the system, especially when done with non-demineralized water. “Although the adoption of cleaning robots is common in countries such as Israel, England, Germany and India, this practice is still in its infancy in Brazil, which increases costs and can lead to loss of module warranty,” highlights Simoni.
Founded by engineers from the University of Brasília, Solar Bot is headquartered in the Federal District and is betting on the potential of automation to transform the operation of photovoltaic plants in the country. For Rédytton Brenner Sousa, founder of the startup, the solution follows the successful operating models of large plants in Europe. “The fact that it does not use water, in addition to saving a precious resource, makes the operation cheaper and more viable, especially in plants located in remote regions,” says Sousa.
With the partnership with Engie Brasil Energia, the challenge is to improve existing models, evolving in autonomy and locomotion, enabling the cleaning of different panels on a large scale without in-person human intervention.
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