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Comparing Solar Panel Cleaning Equipment by Performance | Daily Cleaning Capacity and Operational Characteristics
Solar panel cleaning solutions since 2012
Solmaks
Comparing Solar Panel Cleaning Equipment Performance : Daily Cleaning Capacity of Solmaks Models
One of the most important factors when selecting solar panel cleaning equipment for a solar power plant is how much panel area the equipment can clean in a single day.
In addition to cleaning width and travel speed, it is essential to consider real-world operating conditions, including travel time between arrays, equipment setup, water supply, and battery replacement.
This article compares the performance of Solmaks full-width cleaning equipment, designed for 4-meter-wide arrays, with the Solmaks FSB crawler-type cleaning system. It examines their daily cleaning capacities based on practical operating conditions.
The figures below are conservative reference estimates based on each equipment type's operating method, travel speed, and expected on-site operating efficiency. Actual daily productivity may vary depending on the solar power plant layout and operating environment.
1. Full-Width Solar Panel Cleaning Equipment for 4 m Arrays
- Solmaks SE, Solmaks E, Solmaks M, and Solmaks P
Solmaks full-width cleaning equipment is designed to clean large panel areas continuously by utilizing the full 4-meter width of an array. By covering the entire working width in a single pass, this equipment range offers advantages in productivity, particularly at large-scale solar power plants.
Each model has different installation and operating characteristics, allowing users to select equipment that best suits the plant layout and working environment.
Solmaks SE: Mobile, field-deployable system
Solmaks E: Permanently installed system
Solmaks M: Modular system with detachable and connectable sections
Solmaks P: Adjustable-length system
Performance Specifications
Parameter | Operating Standard / Performance |
Reference array width | 4 m |
Standard working time | 8 hours |
Assumed operating efficiency | 80% |
Hourly cleaning area | Approximately 2,304 m² |
Daily capacity based on new, high-efficiency panels | Approximately 4,147 kW/day |
Daily capacity based on older, conventional panels | Approximately 2,950 kW/day |
Based on an 8-hour working day, the reference cleaning capacity is approximately 4.15 MW for newer, high-efficiency panels and 2.95 MW for older, conventional panels.
The hourly cleaning area may vary depending on the equipment's operating speed and configuration. Actual performance may therefore be higher or lower than the figures presented above.
Because this equipment utilizes the full array width, it is particularly effective at covering large areas when arrays are continuous and the work routes are well organized.
However, operating speed, travel between arrays, equipment repositioning, water supply, and other on-site tasks can affect productivity. Actual daily cleaning capacity will depend on site-specific conditions.
2. Solmaks FSB Crawler-Type Cleaning Equipment - A Flexible, Mobile Cleaning System
The Solmaks FSB is a crawler-type cleaning system that moves along solar panels and performs cleaning operations under the operator's wireless control.
Unlike full-width cleaning equipment, which covers the entire array width in a single pass, the FSB travels along the panels while cleaning. As a result, its daily cleaning capacity may be lower than that of full-width systems.
However, the FSB offers potential advantages in terms of adaptability to different array layouts, on-site mobility, and ease of transportation and loading onto a vehicle.
These characteristics can be particularly valuable at solar power plants where panel arrangements and working conditions vary from site to site. Mobility and the ability to adapt to changing site conditions are therefore important factors when selecting cleaning equipment.
Performance Specifications
Parameter | Operating Standard / Performance |
Equipment model | Solmaks FSB |
Standard working time | 8 hours |
Assumed operating efficiency | 80% |
Hourly cleaning area | Approximately 594–792 m² |
Daily capacity based on new, high-efficiency panels | Approximately 855–1,140 kW/day |
Daily capacity based on older, conventional panels | Approximately 608–811 kW/day |
The hourly cleaning area of the Solmaks FSB varies according to travel speed. Accordingly, its daily cleaning capacity is presented as a range rather than a single fixed figure.
Based on an 8-hour working day, the estimated cleaning capacity is approximately 0.86–1.14 MW for newer, high-efficiency panels and 0.61–0.81 MW for older, conventional panels.
Actual performance depends on panel dimensions and output, travel speed, array length, equipment movement routes, and other operating conditions at the site.
3. Conservative Productivity Estimates Based on Real-World Operating Conditions
The theoretical maximum performance of cleaning equipment may differ from the productivity achievable at an actual solar power plant.
This comparison applies a conservative 80% operating efficiency factor to account for non-productive time and practical variables encountered during daily operations.
Factors considered include :
Equipment operation and operator proficiency
Travel between arrays and equipment repositioning
Convenience of water supply and refilling
Battery charging and replacement time
Plant terrain and array configuration
Panel positioning and equipment travel routes
Breaks and other on-site operational requirements
When evaluating travel speed, it is important to consider not only the maximum achievable speed but also the speed that enables consistent cleaning quality and safe, stable operation.
For full-width cleaning equipment, the estimates consider a 4-meter-wide array and an operating travel speed below 0.25 m/s. For the Solmaks FSB crawler-type system, the estimates consider an operating travel speed below 0.20 m/s. Actual operating speeds and hourly cleaning areas may vary depending on the specific model and working conditions.
The figures in this article should therefore be understood as reference estimates for evaluating equipment suitability under practical operating conditions, rather than guaranteed maximum productivity figures under optimal conditions.
4. Travel and Setup Time Between Arrays
After completing a section of panels, the equipment must be moved to the next array and repositioned to suit the new working area.
When planning daily operations, an allowance of approximately 5–10 minutes for travel and setup between arrays may be appropriate, depending on the equipment model and site conditions.
Actual time requirements may vary according to :
Distance between arrays
Equipment mobility and turning requirements
Availability of access routes and maneuvering space
Obstacles and terrain conditions
Requirements for equipment installation, disassembly, or repositioning
Solar power plants with regularly arranged arrays and clear travel routes may achieve higher daily productivity than sites where movement between arrays is more complicated.
It is therefore important to account for travel and setup time, rather than evaluating cleaning speed alone, when preparing a daily work schedule.
Note : If travel and setup time are already included in the assumed 80% operating efficiency, they should not be deducted a second time when calculating daily productivity.
5. Key Factors to Consider When Comparing Cleaning Equipment
A comprehensive equipment comparison should consider the following factors:
Daily operating hours and the need for continuous operation
Battery replacement and charging arrangements
Equipment mobility and ease of handling
Operator workflow and experience
Solar plant layout, array configuration, and working conditions
A model with a larger battery capacity is not necessarily the best choice for every site. Selecting the right equipment requires balancing expected cleaning capacity, operational convenience, and equipment weight.
6. Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Solar Power Plant
The performance of solar panel cleaning equipment is determined by more than cleaning speed alone.
Full-width cleaning equipment offers strong area coverage by utilizing a wide cleaning path. The Solmaks FSB crawler-type system, on the other hand, offers mobility and operational flexibility, making it suitable for sites with varying array layouts and access conditions.
Performance Comparison: Full-Width Equipment vs. Solmaks FSB
Comparison Criteria | Full-Width Cleaning equipment | Solmaks FSB Crawler-Type System |
Main advantage | Efficient cleaning across a wide, continuous working area | Mobility and adaptability to site conditions |
Cleaning method | Full-width array cleaning | Crawler-based mobile cleaning |
Reference daily cleaning capacity | Approximately 2.95–4.15 MW | Approximately 0.61–1.14 MW |
Key considerations | Array configuration and suitability for continuous operation | Array layout, tilt angle, and equipment travel routes |
The capacity figures represent estimates for newer, high-efficiency panels and older, conventional panels, respectively. Actual productivity for both equipment types will vary depending on panel specifications and site conditions.
The figures presented in this comparison are based on a 4-meter array width, an 8-hour working day, and an assumed operating efficiency of 80%. When evaluating equipment for a specific solar power plant, it is advisable to consider the plant layout, panel specifications, and operator workflow together.
The key to making an informed equipment selection is to compare not only the rated performance of each machine but also the amount of work it can reliably complete during a typical day in real-world conditions.
Solmaks offers a range of solar panel cleaning equipment options to help operators evaluate solutions suited to different plant sizes, layouts, and operating requirements. Selecting equipment that matches the site conditions can help support an effective cleaning plan while balancing productivity and operational convenience.
Solar panel cleaning solutions since 2012
Solmaks
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