Will Robots Change the Way Solar Energy Works?
A recent project launched in California could change the way that each solar power system works, which could have a lasting impact on the way solar energy is approached. Robots could hold the key for improving the efficiency of solar panels for solar farms.
The robots will be used to clean the solar panels on solar farms. Dirt and dust can quickly cover panels in certain geographic regions, especially those in desert areas. It is expected that the robots will be able to clean the panels more efficiently than current methods, which require using a pressure washer to hose the panels down. When the dirt is removed, the panels are able to produce more electricity.
While the traditional methods required a lot of water and manpower, robots require less of both. This makes operating a solar farm more cost-efficient for many communities, and is important for areas that do not have access to large water supplies. The project is still in its infancy, but the promise is that this type of technology can migrate from large solar power system operations to applications for homeowners who have placed solar panels on their homes. Other research teams are investigating how robots may be used to install solar panels, making the possibilities for robotics and solar power very promising.
Solar energy is still one of the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly ways to power a home, but research such as this new robot project hold promise for making solar panels even better and more powerful.