Best Solar Panel Cleaning Robot in 2025-News - Neexgent

Contents:

Trinabot Product Page

• The Impact of Soiling on Solar Panel Performance
• Manual vs. Automated Cleaning: Key Trade-Offs
• Market Trends and Growth Projections
• Criteria for Evaluating Cleaning Robots
• Top Solar Panel Cleaning Robots
• Comparative Analysis
• Choosing the Right Robot
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Cleaning solar panels regularly is crucial to maintaining optimal energy output, especially in regions prone to dust accumulation, pollen, or other environmental particulates. Manual cleaning methods can be labor-intensive, risky on large installations, and often water-intensive. Automated cleaning robots have emerged as an efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative. In this article, we’ll explore key considerations when choosing a solar panel cleaning robot, review some of the top solutions on the market—including the industry-leading NXR-Ⅳ by Neexgent—and provide guidance for PV system operators seeking to maximize their return on investment.

The Impact of Soiling on Solar Panel Performance

Solar panels accumulate dust, bird droppings, pollen, and other debris—collectively referred to as “soiling”—which can reduce conversion efficiency by up to 30% in high-dust or desert environments. Researchers at the University of Houston estimate that the average soiling loss worldwide was at least 3–4% in , with localized losses far higher in arid regions. Even a 1% loss can translate to thousands of dollars of lost energy revenue annually for utility-scale installations. Therefore, systematic cleaning is not merely cosmetic but economically imperative.

Manual vs. Automated Cleaning: Key Trade-Offs

Traditional cleaning methods—using brushes, squeegees, or pressure washers—require significant labor and can pose safety hazards when crews work at height. Manual approaches also often consume tens of liters of potable water per panel, which is unsustainable in water-scarce regions. In contrast, robotic cleaning systems:

• Operate autonomously or remotely, reducing injury risk.

• Optimize water usage (including dry-brush systems).

• Clean during off-peak hours without interrupting operations.

• Scale easily across large farms without proportional increases in labor costs.

These benefits drive rapid adoption of automated cleaning solutions worldwide.

Market Trends and Growth Projections

The global automated solar panel cleaning market was valued at approximately USD 1 billion in and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% through , driven by rising solar installations and stricter efficiency regulations.Another analysis pegs the market at USD 134.3 million in , with a projected CAGR of 10.8% until , reflecting variations in market definitions and survey scopes.Regardless of the exact figures, consensus points to a robust, double-digit growth trajectory as operators seek cost-effective maintenance strategies.

Criteria for Evaluating Cleaning Robots

When assessing robotic cleaning solutions, consider:

1. Cleaning Method

• Dry brushing: minimizes water use but may struggle with stubborn dirt.
• Wet cleaning: uses demineralized or recycled water for more thorough removal.

2. Mobility Platform

• Crawler robots: traverse panel arrays on tracks—ideal for ground-mount farms.
• Aerial or drone-based: fly over installations, reducing footprint but may have payload limits.

3. Control and Automation

• Fully autonomous: follow pre-programmed routes with minimal human oversight.
• Remote-controlled: allow operators to steer via joystick or touchscreen.

4. Battery Life and Power Supply

• On-board lithium-ion batteries or connection to grid power can affect runtime and recharge cycles.

5. Adaptability and Scalability

• Ability to handle panels of varying tilt angles, gaps, and layouts.

6. Maintenance and Support

• Warranty terms, spare-parts availability, and after-sales service networks.

Top Solar Panel Cleaning Robots

Ecoppia’s Autonomous Dry-Brush System

Ecoppia is a pioneer in waterless robotic cleaning, deploying AI-driven, microfiber brushes and controlled airflow to remove dust. Its technology is widely used in utility-scale farms across Asia and the Americas, with long-term field data demonstrating minimal efficiency drop even in harsh environments.

GEKKO Solar Cleaning Robot

Manufactured by ChemiTek, the GEKKO Solar unit employs rotating brushes under constant pressure, delivering both dry and wet cleaning options. It integrates seamlessly with mobile work platforms, allowing operators to lift the robot to rooftop panels and control cleaning via radio joystick. An independent support wagon can supply water and power when needed, making it suitable for small farms with narrow panel arrays.

Foxtech Sweeper Series

Foxtech’s Sweeper-66 and Sweeper-110 crawler-type robots are designed for large photovoltaic systems. They offer fully remote cleaning with optional water-jet attachments. The modular design lets operators swap brush heads and adjust water flow, optimizing performance across diverse climatic conditions.

SolarCleano Mini Robot

Contact us to discuss your requirements of pv panel cleaning robot. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

SolarCleano’s Mini model boasts a 20% higher cleaning capacity compared to market peers. Its compact form factor and one-year warranty, backed by dedicated after-sales service, make it an attractive choice for mid-scale commercial rooftops. The robot adapts dynamically to weather and panel conditions, ensuring consistent results.

Neexgent’s NXR-Ⅳ

Neexgent’s NXR-Ⅳ is a standout in the automated cleaning segment, engineered specifically for challenging rooftop and solar-farm environments. Key features include:

These attributes make the NXR-Ⅳ a versatile solution for both utility-scale and commercial rooftop applications. Its lightweight build and adaptability ensure minimal downtime, while intelligent control systems optimize cleaning efficacy.

Comparative Analysis

Feature Ecoppia Dry-Brush GEKKO Solar Foxtech Sweeper-110 SolarCleano Mini Neexgent NXR-Ⅳ Cleaning Method Dry only Dry/Wet Dry/Wet Dry/Wet Dry/Wet Mobility Railless crawler Mobile platform Crawler Compact crawler Crawler Control Autonomous Remote-controlled Remote-controlled Autonomous Remote/PLC Battery Runtime 6–8 hours 4–6 hours 5 hours 3–4 hours 4–5 hours Water Use None Low Adjustable Adjustable Demineralized Support Infrastructure Requires docking Support wagon On-board tank On-board tank Support wagon

Choosing the Right Robot

When selecting a robotic cleaner, PV operators should align features with site characteristics:

• Rooftop Installations: Prioritize compact, lightweight robots (e.g., NXR-Ⅳ, SolarCleano Mini) that integrate with existing access platforms.

• Ground-Mount Farms: Crawler robots with long-range remote control (e.g., Foxtech Sweeper, Neexgent NXR-Ⅳ) excel across expansive arrays.

• Water Scarcity Zones: Dry-brush systems (e.g., Ecoppia) eliminate water logistics but may require periodic wet cleaning for stubborn grime.

• Budget Constraints: Consider total cost of ownership, including maintenance, power, and consumables. Entry-level models offer lower upfront costs but may sacrifice autonomy or throughput.

Conclusion

Automated solar panel cleaning robots represent a strategic investment for PV asset owners seeking to safeguard energy yield, reduce maintenance costs, and minimize environmental impact. With a forecasted market value exceeding USD 1 billion and double-digit growth rates, this technology is maturing rapidly. Solutions like Ecoppia’s dry-brush robots, GEKKO Solar’s versatile platforms, Foxtech’s robust Sweepers, SolarCleano’s high-capacity Mini, and Neexgent’s feature-rich NXR-Ⅳ cater to diverse operational needs. By carefully evaluating cleaning methods, mobility, automation level, and support requirements, solar stakeholders can select the optimal robot to maximize clean-energy returns.

FAQs

Manual cleaning in solar parks or rooftop installations is often not feasible, due to its scale, so you will need to use some help. A big share of solar assets owners or maintenance teams use robots to optimize the cleaning of photovoltaic solar panels.

It is the most versatile cleaning method regarding the scale of the installations and its use is raising as fast as the Solar Industry.

Each robot has its advantages and limitations, so you need to make sure that you choose the right robot for your needs. Before buying, do your research and talk with others that already use them. Most solar cleaning companies are really approachable and will share with you their experience.

Based on our experience and of our partners, you can check our top 5 recommendations (in no particular order) for PV solar panel cleaning robots.  Let’s check what their manufacturers say about them.

F1 SolarCleano

The F1 by SolarCleano is a remote-controlled solar panel cleaning robot with a high cleaning capacity.

The SolarCleano F1 has been designed to meet all your needs in cleaning all types of installations. Suitable for wet and dry cleaning on any type of solar installations. The robot can be dismounted into 4 parts for easy transportation. Highly mobile, it can be easily carried and operated by one person. The assembly and disassembly of robot can be completed within 3 minutes. The robot is battery operated and controlled from the ground.

Mains Specifications:

• For wet and dry solar panel cleaning.
• Connects to standard garden hoses of 13-15mm in diameter and of 2.0 - 8.0 bar solar panel cleaning water pressure.
• Valves to regulate water consumption.
• Certified NO microcracks after electroluminescent test;
• Central electric switching box. Power supply by lithium-ion batteries enabling an autonomy of 2h30m.
• Camera for safe remote operation.
• Helicoidal brushes of 1.1m, 1.2m, and 2.2m with 2 bristle types for both wet and dry cleaning.
• Easily cross any gap up to 70 cm.
• Specialized pads to clean at 25° angle with water.

GEKKO Solar Hightec Robot – Serbot

Designed to clean PV panels on roof tops and solar farms, which are difficult to access, the GEKKO Solar by Serbot it is a compact and versatile robot that can easily be moved from one place to the other. Therefore, it's best suited for cleaning companies, offering their service to PV plant owners.

The GEKKO Solar cleans rigorously by rotating brushes, executing a constant pressure on the panels and the use of demineralized water. Is typically used together with a mobile work platform: from here, the operator can lift the robot comfortably to the roof and control it by radio using a joystick.

GEKKO Solar is also suited for small solar farms with narrow panels. In this case, a support wagon supplying water, electrical power and pressurized air ensures an independent operation.

Mains Specifications:

• High cleaning efficiency: 4 times faster than manually.
• Easy handling: operating by joystick and radio control.
• Cleaning efficiency reaches maximum up to 1'040 m2 per hour.
• Average cleaning efficiency reaches up to 670 m2 per hour.
• Easy operation little trolley for water an energy supply with a hose of about 100 m in length.
• Precise cleaning: with even quality.
• Steep rooftops included: up to 45°.
• Improved safety: no working on roof tops.

SUN-X Sunbotics

The 4-in-1 cleaning system. A cross-product modular system and individual extensions. Different sized robot manages different levels of inclination.

The most important parts of the Sunbotics series are the motorized quick coupling System and the intelligent carrier arms. Every Sunbotics product is based on these two features. When purchasing a Sunbotics machine, most of the other products are always included and your product will be expanded in just a few simple steps. Easy to handle you can carry your equipment comfortably onto the roof – without the need for a lifting platform. Disassemble your equipment conveniently and quickly on the ground and reassemble the individual parts on the roof. Sunbotics carrier arms have a high strength aluminium core, having a lower overall weight.

Mains Specifications:

For more information, please visit solar panel cleaning machine.

• The suspension system is equipped with a remote control of about 100m range.
• Clean on up to 25° with a 1,45 m brush size, the larger versions with a 2,10m or 3,20m brush size can drive on up to 20°.
• Power & battery operated - the sunbotics e-Boxes are available in different versions, all operated either via power connection or rechargeable battery.
• Overcoming obstacles - Overcomes module gaps of up to approx. 60 cm. Height-adjustable brushes that allow to easily overcome slight height differences of up to approx. 15 cm.
• Anti-splash - The robust splash guard is made of truck tarpaulins.
• Integrated water tanks.
• The shifted brushes that ensure that best possible cleaning results.
• The specially designed rubber profiles of the chains easily provide extra grip for vertical driving on inclinations of up to 25°.