Hydraulic robotic cleaning solutions for photovoltaics
photovoltaics, AX Solar Robot, cleaning, new technology
The French AX Solar Robot presented two battery-free, hydraulic cleaning solutions for photovoltaic facilities. It also presented a battery-powered solution suitable for rooftop installations.
AX Solar Robot, PV cleaning specialist, offers two new hydraulic solutions for PV.
“The technology behind them is 100% mechanical and hydraulic. You have to pressurize the water with a pump, which allows our customers to stay running all day without changing the batteries, as you have to do with the other robotic solutions offered on the market," said Grégoire Demeestere, development manager at AX Solar Robot. "Because it's a 100% mechanical solution, maintenance and support is made easy."
First launched at Intersolar Europe in October 2021, the WetSlider is a dedicated cleaner for 1P tracking. With +/- 50-degree tiltability, the company claims there's no need to stop tracking while cleaning. Its traction wheels can be manually adjusted to the exact dimension of the solar panels frames, placing units with a total height of 1.570 mm to 2.130 mm.
The robot measures 2.610mm x 725mm x 335mm for a 2150mm brush and weighs 51kg. Its hydraulic motor operates at a minimum pressure of 60 bar and consumes 0,25 liters of water per square meter with a typical cleaning speed of 18,85 meters per minute.
"Efficient cleaning can be provided in rows up to 450 meters long, with two robots working in parallel on the same pump," the company said. "This represents up to 3MW of cleaning capacity per day, without battery limitation, enabling around-the-clock operations."
The WetSlider XL completes the company's range of offers, as it allows the cleaning of panels up to 6,5 meters in length. Its patented design offers vertical movement for the brush system along the frames. The product will be available on the market by the end of 2022, according to the company.
"This solution brings more flexibility thanks to a unique double fit," said Demeestere. “You can adjust the robot to the size of the panel, and you can adjust a second sliding frame to the size of the panel. Thus, a single tool can be used to serve multiple PV functions with the same brush size, avoiding soil degradation and simplifying logistical issues compared to vehicle-mounted systems.
Both versions of the robot are manufactured by the company in Lille, France and distributed worldwide. AX Solar Robot is also the sole distributor in France of the new hyCLEANER solarROBOT, developed by TG hyLIFT of Germany. The modular, battery-powered cleaning solution features a self-driving function and assistance system. It is suitable for rooftop installations, carports, ground and floating installations.
The robot measures 575mm x 685mm x 270mm. It can be used on slopes from 0 to 45 degrees. The solution has a cleaning capacity of 1.100 square meters per hour to 2.400 square meters per hour and is powered by a 36 V, up to 42 V ion battery.
