Solar Panel Cleaning Market Share, Growth & Forecast [2031]

Report Description

The solar panel cleaning market size was valued at USD 700 Mn in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 1150 Mn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 6.85% during the forecast period, 2023 – 2031. Increasing demand for cleaning the surface of solar panels to boost the efficiency of solar modules for better power conservation is likely to propel the market growth.

The solar panel cleaning process involves the removal of accumulated particles such as ashes from fires, dust, bird droppings, and others from the surface. This process is used to maintain the efficiency of the power production capacity of solar modules.

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Solar panels capture sunlight to produce electricity through photovoltaic (PV) cells and silicon semiconductors using the photovoltaic effect. These cells convert the sun’s infrared and ultraviolet radiation into direct currents. Most of the solar panels are installed on the rooftop of buildings at a 30-degree angle for maximum power production.

Solar energy generation has the least impact on the environment as compared to any other traditional energy production method. The increased affordability and easy availability of solar panel technology have boosted the popularity of solar power modules.

The elements gathered on the surface of solar panels reduce sunlight exposure which leads reduction in power output. There are various methods to clean solar panels including manual washing to fully automatic technologies.

The market report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on the solar panel cleaning market. The disruption in the supply chain and shortage of raw materials impacted the manufacturing and distribution of solar panels. The global restriction on transportation and lockdowns have hindered the growth of the solar panel cleaning market.

Solar Panel Cleaning Market Dynamics

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Key Trends

The increasing popularity of renewable and clean power production across the globe is a major trend in the global solar panel cleaning market. The rising adoption of solar energy modules is further boosting solar panel cleaning services. The need to generate efficient energy output from these solar panels installed at residential and commercial places is fueling the demand for regular interval cleaning of solar panels.

Major Drivers

The rising implementation of solar modules in the utility and agriculture sectors is expected to drive the solar panel cleaning market during the projection period. The solar cleaning process is implemented to maintain and restore the power conservation of solar panels. Farmers are using solar panels to reduce carbon emissions and the overhead energy expenses that are required for farming. 

• As per the study by Columbia University conducted in 2022, an acre of solar panels field can cut about 121 to 138 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. 

The growing infrastructural development in developing countries is driving the installation of solar panels. This is expected to be a key driver of the solar panel cleaning market during the forecast period. It is further propelled by economic growth and rising consumption of energy. Governments in developing countries such as China, India, Brazil, Chile, Jordan, Mexico, and Pakistan provide subsidies and schemes to promote solar panel installation.

Existing Restraints

The difficulty of executing solar panel cleaning in industrial and commercial spaces is expected to hinder the market in the coming years. Most of the solar power plants and modules are installed at difficult spots such as the rooftop, parking tops, off the ground, or other complex places. This makes it risky to clean for a large number of workers. Often time these commercial or industrial places do not contain the water resources for solar panel cleaning.

• A report published by International Atomic Energy Agency, globally, over 150 people died per year during solar panel cleaning work.

Solar panels required huge amounts of water for washing, which acts as a restraining factor for the market. Commercial places rarely have enough water resources near the solar panel, which may create a problem while cleaning.

• According to a report published in 2022 by the World Economic Forum, globally, the process of cleaning solar panel surfaces requires over 10 billion gallons of water per year which is enough for 2 million people for their drinking purpose.

Emerging Opportunities

The increasing technological development and research activities are creating favorable opportunities for players in the solar panel cleaning market. For instance, the growing implementation of automation technologies including robots, drones, and others increases the efficiency and safety of solar panel cleaning. Furthermore, researchers from various technological institutes are developing new systems for cleaning solar panels using electrostatic repulsion to detach dust particles from surfaces.

Scope of the Solar Panel Cleaning Market Report

The report on the market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Solar Panel Cleaning Market Segment Insights

Based on technology, the solar panel cleaning market is divided into wet cleaning and dry cleaning. The wet cleaning segment is anticipated to hold a major market share during the forecast period due to its better applicability and ease of cleaning solar panels. Wet cleaning involves the use of a water-based chemical solution, which removes tough stains that might be hard to remove using the dry-cleaning method. This method is a much safer way, as it reduces the risk of scratches and damaging surfaces of the solar panels. It is further propelled by the implementation of advanced technologies to reduce labor costs and accelerate cleaning operations.

The dry-cleaning segment is expected to constitute a considerable market share in the coming years. The customer preference for eco-friendly cleaning methods to remove gathered particles from solar panel surfaces is likely to propel segment growth. The dry-cleaning method uses air pressure and brushes to clean the solar panels which reduces water consumption while cleaning solar panel surfaces. Moreover, dry cleaning techniques are gaining traction in recent years due to the increasing water crisis issues across various countries.

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On the basis of process, the solar panel cleaning market is segmented into automated, semi-automated, water brushes, automated robot, electrostatic, and others. The semi-automated segment held a key share of the solar panel cleaning market in 2022 and is likely to expand at a substantial growth rate in the coming years. The growing demand for semi-automated cleaning solutions is due to the ease of applicability in both commercial and residential places at a reduced cost. The semi-automated cleaning works are performed by either cleaning the solar panels directly by labor or placing robots on the solar panel surfaces.

The automated robot segment is expected to expand at a significant pace in the market in the coming years. Solar cleaning robots have the ability to operate on large-scale modules and perform under extreme weather conditions to keep solar panel surfaces clean without putting laborers at risk. Furthermore, automated robotics consume less water and cleaning materials, due to the precise programming that is set for the cleaning process.

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Based on the mode of operation, the solar panel cleaning market is divided into manual and autonomous. The manual segment is anticipated to hold a significant share of the market due to deep and customizable cleaning technics by manual labor to help optimize the performance of the solar panels. This cleaning process provides additional benefits, as it helps to identify fire issues and other potential cracks for functional damages. Manual cleaning reaches dirty corners and cracks of solar panel easily than any other method for the removal of dirt completely and to stop further metal corrosion.

The autonomous segment is expected to grow at a substantial growth rate during the forecast period due to the rising adoption of new technologies for cleaning solar panels. The growing implementation of artificial intelligence-powered solutions to perform accurate and deep cleaning operations. It is fueling the demand for autonomous modes of operations as it reduces human error and increases the accuracy of cleaning operations using tracking systems.

On the basis of the application, the solar panel cleaning market is classified as residential, commercial, and industrial & utility. The industrial & utility segment is expected to hold a key share of the market during the forecast period owing to the rising energy demand from these sectors. Businesses are focusing on ways to reduce their carbon footprint, maintain stable power output and increase financial savings by adopting solar power modules. The need to gain efficient solar energy conversion is boosting the adoption of solar panel cleaning solutions in the industrial and utility sectors. Industrial activities may cause the accumulation of flammable substances or debris on solar panels. Therefore, cleaning solar panels become necessary in such areas.

The residential segment is expected to register a robust growth rate in the market in the coming years. Governmental support for the installation of residential solar power modules in developing countries is boosting the demand for solar panel cleaning. Solar panel cleaning systems offer benefits for residential users such as low upfront cost and maintenance costs. The emerging economies are encouraging the production of solar energy from solar panel cleaning which reduces the carbon emission and waste from the forest and agriculture areas. 

Regional Outlook

In terms of region, the global solar panel cleaning market is fragmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Europe is expected to dominate the solar panel cleaning market during the projection period. This market in the region is driven due to the factors such as beneficial tax policies by various governments toward the adaptation of solar power panels across residential and commercial establishments. The continuously changing weather condition such as rain and heavy snowfall require regular cleaning, which boosts the regional market growth.

Asia Pacific is expected to expand at a rapid pace in the coming years. The governmental subsidies and schems are increasing the number of solar module installations in residential and commercial establishments boosting the need for solar panel cleaning solutions. Additionally, emerging economies such as India, China, and others are aggressively investing in renewable power technologies to supply power and prevent carbon emissions through conventional energy production methods. Rising pollution at a rapid pace in India, due to the increasing industries and the growing number of vehicles are major factors driving the market in the region.

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