Solar Panel Cleaning Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth and Forecast 2030

Solar Panel Cleaning Industry Prospective:

The global solar panel cleaning market size was worth around USD 1200 million in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 1800 million by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 5.5% between 2023 and 2030.       

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Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Overview

Cleaning solar panels involves removing accumulated debris from their surface, including dust, bird droppings, and ash from wildfires. When collected particles operate as an obstruction between the solar panels and sunlight, this technique is carried out to restore the power conversion capabilities of the panels. As a result of their effectiveness in increasing power output and recovering module efficiency, other ways are also utilized in the process for a variety of applications.  

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global Solar Panel Cleaning market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 5.5% over the forecast period (2023-2030).
• In terms of revenue, the global Solar Panel Cleaning market size was valued at around USD 1200 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 1800 million, by 2030.
• The growing installation of solar panel modules is expected to propel the solar panel cleaning market growth over the forecast period.
• Based on the technology, the wet cleaning segment is expected to capture the largest market share over the forecast period.
• Based on the process, the semi-automated segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period.
• Based on the mode of operation, the manual segment is expected to capture a significant market share over the forecast period.
• Based on the application, the industrial & utility segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period.
• Based on region, the Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period.

Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Growth Drivers

Several benefits of solar panel cleaning drive market growth

The expanding number of advantages of solar panel cleaning, such as increased effectiveness, durability, faster return on investment, and others, are anticipated to fuel the global solar panel cleaning market expansion throughout the forecast period. Due to poor maintenance, these systems are prone to efficiency degradation over time. The constant contact with PV cells with dust, debris, soft sand grains, and other particles also exposes them to wear and strain. This is a long-lasting flaw that gradually manifests. As a result, panels become less effective and even have shorter lives. For instance, the study found that cleaning solar panels may boost efficiency by up to 60% for commercial arrays and by up to 21% for residential arrays. Thus, the aforementioned facts drive revenue growth.

Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Restraints

The high cost of solar cleaning limits market expansion

Cleaning solar panels may be expensive, especially for industrial or commercial installations or large-scale solar farms. The cost of recruiting staff, purchasing specialized cleaning equipment, and acquiring licenses can all have an impact on how cost-effective cleaning services are overall. Potential clients may be put off by high operating costs, especially those trying to save costs over the long term. For instance, according to secondary sources, the average yearly cost of equipment and tool maintenance for businesses in the solar panel cleaning sector in the US ranges from USD 5,000 to USD 10,000. Thus, the high cost of solar panel cleaning is considered a major restraining factor for the solar panel cleaning industry growth over the anticipated timeframe.

Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Opportunities

Growing product launches offer a lucrative opportunity for market growth

The growing product launches offer a lucrative opportunity for solar panel cleaning market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in May 2022, a clean-tech company called Skilancer Solar introduced a waterless automated robot for cleaning small-scale solar power plants that are installed on residential rooftops. This breakthrough will enhance their current product line, which already includes a waterless robot with AI that can clean massive industrial solar arrays.

Skilancer intends to go after the home market with the new robot. An efficient cleaning method is essential not only to save water but also to encourage the use of alternative energy since there has been a rise in water shortage challenges on a worldwide scale. Additionally, in June 2023, Zero Dirt-BOLT, an automated robotic system for waterless dust removal from solar panels, was introduced by Sleepwalkers. The tool is appropriate for ground-mounted and rooftop/RCC installations, including fixed, seasonal tilt, and single-axis trackers, and it runs without rails.

Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Challenges

Water scarcity poses a challenge to market growth

Water use for solar panel cleaning may be a major issue in locations with water constraints or drought conditions. Water-intensive traditional cleaning techniques might not be appropriate in areas where there is a water constraint. Due to this restriction, water-saving cleaning techniques including dry cleaning and the use of purified water have been developed. Thus, the traditional means of solar panel cleaning might be a major hurdle to the market growth.   

Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Segmentation

The global Solar Panel Cleaning industry is segmented based on technology, process, mode of operation, application, and region.

Based on the technology, the global market is bifurcated into wet cleaning and dry cleaning. The wet cleaning segment is expected to capture the largest market share over the forecast period. Higher efficiency, ease of accessibility, and cheaper prices are some of the main reasons that drive the segment growth. Additionally, the greater market growth of this sector is attributed to the high efficacy of cleaning panel surfaces and the broad application & feasibility across heavy soiling circumstances. The availability of organic compounds as an alternative to water-based cleaning methods will further aid in the expansion of the segment.

Based on the process, the global solar panel cleaning market is bifurcated into semi-automated, automated, water brushes, electrostatic, automated robotic, and others. The semi-automated segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. Due to their low cost and convenience of use in both commercial and household settings, semi-automated cleaning systems are in increasing demand. The semi-automated cleaning tasks are carried out by either having workers clean the solar panels directly or by using robots to clean the solar panels' surfaces.

Based on the mode of operation, the solar panel cleaning industry is bifurcated into manual and autonomous. The manual segment is expected to capture a significant market share over the forecast period because of the thorough and specialized hand-cleaning techniques used to enhance the efficiency of the solar panels. Additional advantages of this cleaning procedure include aiding in the detection of fire problems and other possible damage or functional harm. The only procedure that can thoroughly remove dirt from solar panel corners and damage and prevent future metal deterioration is manual cleaning.

Based on the application, the global market is bifurcated into residential, commercial, and industrial & utility. The industrial & utility segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period due to the growing industry energy demand. Businesses are concentrating on solar power modules as a method to lower their carbon footprint, maintain steady power output, and boost financial savings. Solar panel cleaning solutions are becoming more popular in the industrial and utility sectors as a result of the requirement to convert solar energy into usable forms. Solar panels may gather trash or combustible materials as a result of industrial activity. Solar panel maintenance is therefore required in such locations.

Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Report Scope

Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market growth over the forecast period

Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global solar panel cleaning market during the forecast period. Governmental incentives and plans are increasing the number of solar modules installed in residential and commercial properties, which is driving up the need for solar panel cleaning products. Furthermore, developing nations like China, India, and others are making aggressive investments in renewable energy technology to supply electricity and reduce carbon emissions from traditional energy production techniques. The region's market is primarily driven by India's rapidly increasing pollution, which is brought on by expanding businesses and an increase in the number of automobiles.

On the other hand, Europe is expected to hold a significant market share over the forecast period. Due to factors including favorable tax policies by various governments toward the use of solar power panels across residential and commercial enterprises, this industry in the region is boosted. Rain and severe snowfall, which are constantly changing weather conditions, necessitate routine cleaning, which spurs regional market expansion.

Solar Panel Cleaning Market: Competitive Analysis

The global Solar Panel Cleaning market is dominated by players like:

• Dow
• Premier Solar Cleaning
• LLC
• Onyx Solar Group LLC
• Wuxi Suntech Power Co. Ltd.
• Belectric
• Carmanah Technologies Corp
• Dyesol Ltd.
• Solarwatt
• AEET Energy Group GmbH
• Ertex Solartechnik GmbH
• The Solaria Corporation
• Tesla
• NanoPV Solar Inc.
• Greatcell Solar Materials
• Canadian Solar
• Taiyo Kogyo Corporation and Hanergy Holding Group Limited

The global Solar Panel Cleaning market is segmented as follows:

By Technology

• Wet Cleaning
• Dry Cleaning

By Process

• Semi-Automated
• Automated
• Water Brushes
• Electrostatic
• Automated Robotic
• Others

By Mode of Operation

• Manual
• Autonomous

By Application

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial & Utility

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa