‘Aerial Power’ is the patented method to automate drone-based cleaning. It makes use of a drones’ own airflow. Applied on solar farms, drones can be an efficient and environmentally friendly way of maintaining solar power production.
The video below demonstrates that the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) does not need to aim for full cleanliness on the glass of the solar panel, visually. Instead, the main objective is to produce more renewable energy – while keeping the cost for maintenance low with Aerial Power.
PIONEERING A NOVEL APPLICATION FOR DRONES
Drones have long been used in applications such as inspection, film, and as of late for more complex tasks such as for the delivery of goods. Aerial Power anyhow is first in utilizing the airflow of a drone in autonomous flight for the purpose of cleaning. This patented method (e.g. US. Pat. US 10,046,857 and international counterparts) benefits longer flight times and improves the overall economics.
The Aerial Power drone is self-flying and eases the maintenance of solar power plants. In comparison to other cleaning methods, making use of a drones’ downward airflow has lower emissions, plus is cheaper to use. It requires few staff and is easy to transport.
The water less cleaning process of the UAV is fast and cost efficient, and its operation has a light ecological impact. It can leapfrog existing cleaning technologies, especially in developing countries, due to its supreme flexibility.
Increased yield with AERIAL POWER
Utilizing the downdraft of the Aerial Power drone has its most significant contribution toward increasing the yield and viability of solar farms in arid regions of the world. There the main factor in deteriorating panel efficiency is the build up of dust and sand on the surface of glass panels.
Importantly, solar panels need to be cleaned frequently in order to maintain their output efficiency. Studies in the Middle East show that if left unclean for a month, solar power output can decrease by up to a third – and by as much as eighty percent after a sandstorm.