As one of the countries with the most abundant solar energy resources globally, Saudi Arabia is vigorously developing its photovoltaic power generation industry to drive energy structure transformation. However, frequent sandstorms in desert regions cause severe dust accumulation on PV panel surfaces, significantly reducing power generation efficiency—a key factor constraining the economic benefits of solar power plants. This article systematically analyzes the current application status of PV panel cleaning machines in Saudi Arabia, focusing on how intelligent cleaning solutions developed by Chinese technology companies address the challenges of extreme desert environments. Through multiple case studies, it demonstrates their technical advantages and economic benefits. From the Red Sea coast to NEOM city, and from traditional fixed PV arrays to tracking systems, these intelligent cleaning devices are reshaping Saudi PV maintenance models with their high efficiency, water-saving features, and automation capabilities, while providing replicable technological paradigms for renewable energy development across the Middle East.
Dust Challenges and Cleaning Needs in Saudi Arabia’s PV Industry
Saudi Arabia possesses exceptional solar energy resources, with annual sunshine hours exceeding 3,000 and theoretical PV generation potential reaching 2,200 TWh/year, making it one of the most promising regions globally for PV development. Driven by the national “Vision 2030″ strategy, Saudi Arabia is accelerating its renewable energy deployment, targeting 58.7 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, with solar PV accounting for the majority share. However, while Saudi Arabia’s vast desert terrain provides ample space for solar plants, it also presents unique operational challenges—dust accumulation leading to efficiency losses.
Research indicates that in some parts of the Arabian Peninsula, PV panels can lose 0.4–0.8% of daily power generation due to dust pollution, with losses potentially exceeding 60% during severe sandstorms. This efficiency decline directly impacts the economic returns of PV plants, making module cleaning a core component of desert PV maintenance. Dust affects PV panels through three primary mechanisms: first, dust particles block sunlight, reducing photon absorption by solar cells; second, dust layers form thermal barriers, increasing module temperatures and further lowering conversion efficiency; and third, corrosive components in certain dust can cause long-term damage to glass surfaces and metal frames.
Saudi Arabia’s unique climatic conditions amplify this problem. The Red Sea coastal region in western Saudi Arabia not only experiences heavy dust but also high-salinity air, leading to sticky salt-dust mixtures on module surfaces. The eastern region faces frequent sandstorms that can deposit thick dust layers on PV panels within short periods. Additionally, Saudi Arabia suffers from extreme water scarcity, with 70% of potable water relying on desalination, making traditional manual washing methods costly and unsustainable. These factors collectively create urgent demand for automated, water-efficient PV cleaning solutions.
Table: Comparison of PV Panel Pollution Characteristics in Different Saudi Regions
| Region | Primary Pollutants | Pollution Characteristics | Cleaning Challenges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sea Coast | Fine sand + salt | Highly adhesive, corrosive | Requires corrosion-resistant materials, frequent cleaning |
| Central Desert | Coarse sand particles | Rapid accumulation, large coverage | Needs high-power cleaning, wear-resistant design |
| Eastern Industrial Zone | Industrial dust + sand | Complex composition, hard to remove | Requires multifunctional cleaning, chemical resistance |
Addressing this industry pain point, Saudi Arabia’s PV market is transitioning from manual cleaning to intelligent automated cleaning. Traditional manual methods exhibit clear limitations in Saudi Arabia: on one hand, remote desert locations make labor costs prohibitively high; on the other, water scarcity prevents large-scale use of high-pressure washing. Estimates show that in remote plants, manual cleaning costs can reach $12,000 per MW annually, with high water consumption conflicting with Saudi water conservation strategies. In contrast, automated cleaning robots demonstrate significant advantages, saving over 90% of labor costs while optimizing water usage through precise control of cleaning frequency and intensity.
The Saudi government and private sector recognize the importance of smart cleaning technologies, explicitly encouraging automated solutions in the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP). This policy direction has accelerated the adoption of cleaning robots in Saudi PV markets. Chinese technology companies, with their mature products and extensive desert application experience, have become leading suppliers in Saudi Arabia’s PV cleaning market. For instance, Renoglean Technology, an ecosystem partner of Sungrow, has secured over 13 GW of cleaning robot orders in the Middle East, emerging as a market leader in Saudi Arabia for intelligent cleaning solutions.
From a technological development perspective, Saudi Arabia’s PV cleaning market shows three clear trends: first, evolution from single-function cleaning toward integrated operations, with robots increasingly incorporating inspection and hot-spot detection capabilities; second, a shift from imported solutions to localized adaptations, with products customized for Saudi climates; and third, progression from standalone operation to system collaboration, deeply integrating with tracking systems and smart O&M platforms. These trends collectively drive Saudi PV maintenance toward intelligent and efficient development, providing technical assurance for achieving renewable energy targets under “Vision 2030.”
Technical Features and System Composition of PV Cleaning Robots
PV intelligent cleaning robots, as technological solutions for Saudi desert environments, integrate innovations across mechanical engineering, materials science, and IoT technologies. Compared to traditional cleaning methods, modern robotic systems demonstrate significant technical advantages, with core designs revolving around four goals: efficient dust removal, water conservation, intelligent control, and reliability. Under Saudi Arabia’s extreme desert climate, these features prove particularly critical, directly impacting long-term maintenance costs and power generation revenue.
From a mechanical perspective, cleaning robots for the Saudi market primarily fall into two categories: rail-mounted and self-propelled. Rail-mounted robots are typically fixed to PV array supports, achieving full surface coverage via rails or cable systems—ideal for large ground-mounted plants. Self-propelled robots offer greater mobility, suitable for distributed rooftop PV or complex terrain. For bifacial modules and tracking systems widely used in Saudi Arabia, leading manufacturers like Renoglean have developed specialized robots featuring unique “bridge technology” that enables dynamic coordination between cleaning systems and tracking mechanisms, ensuring effective cleaning even when arrays adjust angles.
Core components of cleaning mechanisms include rotating brushes, dust removal devices, drive systems, and control units. Saudi market demands have driven continuous innovation in these parts: ultra-fine and carbon-fiber composite brush bristles effectively remove sticky salt-dust without scratching module surfaces; self-lubricating bearings and sealed motors ensure long-term reliability in sandy environments; integrated high-pressure air blowers tackle stubborn dirt while minimizing water use. Renoglean’s PR200 model even features a “self-cleaning” brush system that automatically removes accumulated dust during operation, maintaining consistent cleaning performance.
- Efficient Dust Removal: Cleaning efficiency >99.5%, operating speed 15–20 meters/minute
- Intelligent Control: Supports IoT remote monitoring, programmable cleaning frequency and paths
- Environmental Adaptation: Operating temperature range -30°C to 70°C, IP68 protection rating
- Water-Saving Design: Primarily dry cleaning, optional minimal water mist, using <10% of manual cleaning water
- High Compatibility: Adapts to mono/bifacial modules, single-axis trackers, and various mounting systems
Drive and power systems provide reliable operation. Saudi Arabia’s abundant sunshine offers ideal conditions for solar-powered cleaning robots. Most models employ dual power systems combining high-efficiency PV panels with lithium batteries, ensuring operation on cloudy days. Notably, to address extreme summer heat, leading manufacturers have developed unique battery thermal management systems using phase-change materials and active cooling to maintain safe operating temperatures, significantly extending battery life. For drive motors, brushless DC motors (BLDC) are preferred for their high efficiency and low maintenance, working with precision reducers to deliver sufficient traction on sandy terrain.
Intelligent control systems serve as the robot’s “brain” and represent the most distinct technological differentiation. Modern cleaning robots typically feature multiple environmental sensors monitoring dust accumulation, weather conditions, and module temperature in real time. AI algorithms dynamically adjust cleaning strategies based on this data, shifting from scheduled to on-demand cleaning. For example, intensifying cleaning before sandstorms while extending intervals after rain. Renoglean’s “Cloud Communication Control System” also supports plant-level multi-robot coordination, avoiding unnecessary power generation disruption from cleaning activities. These intelligent features enable cleaning robots to maintain optimal performance despite Saudi Arabia’s variable climate.
Network architecture for communication and data management has also been optimized for Saudi conditions. Given many large PV plants’ remote desert locations with poor infrastructure, cleaning robot systems employ hybrid networking: short-range via LoRa or Zigbee mesh, long-range via 4G/satellite. For data security, systems support local encrypted storage and cloud backup, complying with Saudi Arabia’s increasingly stringent data regulations. Operators can monitor all robots in real time through mobile apps or web platforms, receive fault alerts, and remotely adjust parameters—greatly improving management efficiency.
For durability design, cleaning robots have been specially optimized from material selection to surface treatment for Saudi Arabia’s high-temperature, high-humidity, and high-salt environments. Aluminum alloy frames undergo anodization, critical connectors use stainless steel to resist Red Sea coastal salt corrosion; all electronic components meet industrial protection standards with excellent sealing against sand intrusion; specially formulated rubber tracks or tires maintain elasticity in extreme heat, preventing material aging from desert temperature swings. These designs enable cleaning robots to achieve mean time between failures (MTBF) exceeding 10,000 hours in harsh Saudi conditions, significantly reducing lifecycle maintenance costs.
Successful application of PV cleaning robots in Saudi Arabia also relies on localized service systems. Leading manufacturers like Renoglean have established spare parts warehouses and technical training centers in Saudi Arabia, cultivating local maintenance teams for rapid response. To accommodate Saudi cultural practices, interfaces and documentation are available in Arabic, with maintenance schedules optimized for Islamic holidays. This deep localization strategy not only enhances customer satisfaction but also lays a solid foundation for continued expansion of Chinese intelligent cleaning technologies in Middle Eastern markets.
With advances in AI and IoT, PV cleaning robots are evolving from simple cleaning tools into smart O&M nodes. New-generation products now integrate diagnostic equipment like thermal imaging cameras and IV curve scanners, performing component health checks during cleaning; machine learning algorithms analyze long-term cleaning data to predict dust accumulation patterns and module performance degradation. These extended functions elevate cleaning robots’ role in Saudi PV plants, gradually transforming them from cost centers into value creators that deliver additional returns for plant investors.
Intelligent Cleaning Application Case at Red Sea Coastal PV Plant
The 400 MW Red Sea PV Project, as an early large-scale solar plant in Saudi Arabia, faced typical high-salinity, high-humidity challenges of the region, becoming a landmark case for Chinese intelligent cleaning technology in Saudi Arabia. Developed by ACWA Power, the project is a key component of Saudi “Vision 2030″ renewable energy plans. Its location features extremely unique climatic conditions: average annual temperatures exceed 30°C, relative humidity consistently exceeds 60%, and salt-rich air easily forms stubborn salt-dust crusts on PV panels—conditions where traditional cleaning methods prove ineffective and costly.
Addressing these challenges, the project ultimately adopted Renoglean’s customized cleaning solution based on PR-series PV cleaning robots, incorporating multiple technological innovations specifically for high-salt environments: corrosion-resistant titanium alloy frames and sealed bearings prevent salt damage to critical components; specially treated brush fibers avoid salt particle adsorption and secondary contamination during cleaning; control systems added humidity sensors to automatically adjust cleaning intensity under high humidity for optimal results. Notably, the project’s cleaning robots received the global PV industry’s highest anti-corrosion certification, representing the Middle East’s most technically advanced cleaning solution at the time.
The Red Sea project’s cleaning system deployment demonstrated exceptional engineering adaptability. Soft coastal foundations caused uneven settlement at some array mounts, leading to rail flatness deviations up to ±15 cm. Renoglean’s technical team developed adaptive suspension systems enabling cleaning robots to operate smoothly across these height differences, ensuring cleaning coverage remained unaffected by terrain. The system also adopted modular designs, with single robot units covering approximately 100-meter array sections—units could operate independently or coordinate via central control for efficient whole-plant management. This flexible architecture greatly facilitated future expansion, allowing cleaning system capacity to grow alongside plant capacity.
Please contact Honde Technology Co., LTD.
Email: info@hondetech.com
Company website: www.hondetechco.com
Tel: +86-15210548582
Post time: Jul-04-2025