Experts agree that one of the first steps the world needs to take to reverse climate change is to rely on alternative renewable energy sources, such as wind and photovoltaic power. Photovoltaic, or more typically known as solar farms, are less expensive to build and maintain than wind farms. Solar panels can be placed anywhere with direct access to sunlight to feed a power grid. It has become common to see large solar panel fields or panels in the backyards or atop roofs of homes. Many commercial businesses have even begun leasing out rooftop space for solar panels. But just like with any power source, maintenance is key. When debris like dust, mud, leaves, and bird droppings accumulate on solar panels, they become less efficient.

To clean solar panels, a person wears a harness and special soft shoes to climb atop panels and manually clean them. Some solar panel arrays are in remote regions like mountainsides, the tops of buildings, or even offshore. In Israel and many other UAE nations, desert space is used for solar panels that are constantly being soiled by dust and sand. The Israeli government recently announced a plan to build the world’s largest solar field. But, for the success of such a project, a better maintenance plan is needed.

Solar Drone is an Israeli company that focuses on solar management services. One day after Israel revealed their lofty solar field ambition, Solar Drone announced that they would be partnering with Aerobotix to coordinate drone based solar panel maintenance solutions. Aerobotix develops completely autonomous drone programs. The Aerobotix platform is 3 part system that consists of a drone, a storage charging box, and a secure software system. The Aerobotix drones can be outfitted with a range of payloads such as cameras or sensors. For Solar Drone, the Aerobotix drones will be hauling an environmentally sound solar panel cleaning solution. The layout of the solar field and a maintenance routine is uploaded to the software system. Without a person ever needing to press a button, the drones will autonomously fly over the panels and apply the cleaner from a safe distance, never coming in contact with the fragile panels.

The drone is launched from a storage box and automatically returns to the box when it needs to be recharged or have its payload refilled. Again, there is no human intervention needed in the process. The box connects with the software system to autonomously open, launch or dock the drone, facilitate battery charging, and refill the cleaning solution in the drone’s tank. “Today’s solutions are unwieldy, uneconomical, and unable to cope with modern solar farms,” said Shmuel Yanai, founder of Solar Drone. “We believe the entry of Airobotics’ drone technology into the market is a game changer, with significant economic potential.” Solar Drone and Aerobotix plan to expand the program over the next 3 years to India, Europe, and the UAE, bringing in millions of dollars.

For real results to take place, climate change can not be ignored. Solar fields represent the fastest growing renewable energy sector. To keep up with the power demands of the world, these solar fields need to be in peak working order. Drones provide a safe and reliable way to ensure that solar panels are clean enough to convert the sun’s rays into renewable energy.