Solar Panel Cleaning Market

Global Solar Panel Cleaning Market Size (2024 to 2032):

The size of the global solar panel cleaning market was worth USD 0.74 billion in 2023. The global market is estimated to reach USD 2.17 billion by 2032 from USD 0.83 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 12.72% from 2024 to 2032.

Current Scenario of the Global Solar Panel Cleaning Market

A solar panel, also termed a photovoltaic solar panel, is a device that gathers energy from the sun and converts it into electricity. It is made up of many solar cells. It is necessary to clean the solar panel for it to perform properly. Solar panel cleaning is the process or method of removing materials such as ashes, dust, bird droppings, and other contaminants from the panel surface. The collected particles function as a barrier between the panel and the sunlight. The panels must be cleaned to retain their efficient output. Cleaning can be postponed in rainy locations, while cleaning is required in dry places. Solar panel cleaning is necessary for the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. 

MARKET DRIVERS

The growing installation of solar panels and the increasing initiatives of governments in several countries to promote solar energy are driving the growth of the solar panel cleaning market.

The wet cleaning of solar panels is highly effective at cleaning panel surfaces and is low-cost and widely accessible, and this awareness among solar energy consumers is gradually increasing and contributing to the global market growth. Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular in developing countries. Several governments worldwide have taken numerous initiatives to boost the adoption of solar energy and increase the consumption of solar power, which are estimated to result in the increasing installations of solar panels and propelling the growth of the solar panel cleaning market. As a result, the frequency of solar panel cleaning has increased. This will fuel the solar panel cleaning market. In addition, many emerging economies are seeing an increase in demand for solar panels for power generation.

The rising awareness of dry cleaning solutions supports the global solar panel cleaning market.

Dry solar panel cleaning solutions are being developed to help alleviate global water constraints, which is adding fuel to the growth rate of the global solar panel cleaning market. Furthermore, the utilization of clean energy and the conservation of other natural resources is becoming more popular, and many businesses are turning to solar energy, which propels the global solar panel cleaning market growth. Moreover, the global solar panel cleaning market will rise as a result of an increase in large-scale solar installations across numerous coastal and agricultural regions with heavy soil and dust buildup.

The wet segment is very efficient in cleaning panel surfaces and is low-cost and easily accessible, further driving the global solar panel cleaning market. Solar energy is becoming more popular in developing countries. In addition, the government has encouraged the use of solar energy, which has resulted in a surge in solar panels and cleaning, which will fuel the solar panel cleaning industry. Many emerging economies are seeing an increase in demand for solar panels for power generation, in which the global solar panel cleaning market will experience major growth. The need for solar panel cleaning will be boosted by increased awareness about the use of clean energy, the protection of natural resources, and the adoption of solar energy by many businesses. In addition, the market will rise due to increased large-scale solar installations across numerous coastal and agricultural regions with heavy dust and soil deposition.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Industrial and commercial Solar panel cleaning systems are difficult to implement since water and energy sources are rarely available near the solar panels. Because they may be on rooftops, carports, or off the ground, cleaning them might be risky. Because solar panel installers do not consider cleaning while designing the arrangement, each installation is unique. A large number of people entails a large amount of risk. With this cleaning system, there will be more accidents. With this approach, water consumption is substantially higher. An investment of USD 20,000 – $50,000 is required. Operators must be trained, and the robots might be large and heavy, necessitating the use of two to three operators. Inclination levels may be a problem. Therefore, these factors tend to hamper the global solar panel cleaning market growth during 2024-2032.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Global Solar Panel Cleaning Market Analysis By Technology

The wet cleaning segment is anticipated to hold the largest global solar panel cleaning market share in the next six years. Because of its high effectiveness in cleaning panel surfaces and wide applicability and practicality across a wide range of soiling situations, the wet segment of the solar panel cleaning market is expected to increase significantly. Furthermore, the availability of organic compounds as a replacement for water-based cleaning processes will aid product acceptance. Furthermore, low unit cost, great reliability, and ease of access are some of the key attributes that will drive product demand.

Global Solar Panel Cleaning Market Analysis By Process

The automated segment is predicted to dominate the global solar panel cleaning market share during the forecast period. It works in a unique way since it uses several brush modifications to help clean some hard-to-reach areas in the panels more easily. Manufacturers are constantly researching and developing new technologies in order to improve the entire experience of solar farm owners by delivering personalized and flexible cleaning solutions.

Global Solar Panel Cleaning Market Analysis By Mode of Operation

According to the mode of operation, demand for autonomous solar panel cleaning will continue to expand in the future years. This is due to the exponential growth of current technologies such as remote sensing, machine learning, and remote management. In addition, there are various advantages to operating solar panels in autonomous mode, including better ease of use and lower setup costs, which will attract a huge number of users to do so. 

Global Solar Panel Cleaning Market Analysis By Application

The commercial application segment is expected to propel the global solar panel cleaning market forward. Industrial facilities in off-grid or remote regions can benefit from commercial solar panels. For example, signs and message boards can be illuminated using commercial solar panels mounted on building rooftops. Solar energy charges the battery, allowing the signs to be illuminated at all hours of the day and night, which further accelerates the market growth.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The Asia-Pacific region dominated the solar panel cleaning market by accounting for 42.7% of the worldwide market share in 2023 and the Asia-Pacific is anticipated to continue the lead in the global market throughout the forecast period.

It is a proven fact that regular cleaning of solar panels can improves the efficiency of solar panels considerably. The rapid adoption of solar energy, the increasing number of solar energy initiatives from the governments of Asia-Pacific countries and the presence of major solar markets such as China and India have majorly contributed to the domination of the Asia-Pacific region in the worldwide market and the impact of these factors is likely to continue during the forecast period and support the regional market growth. As per the data of the National Energy Administration, China installed 45.74 GW of new solar power capacity in Q1 2024.

Europe was the second biggest regional segment for solar panel cleaning in the global market in 2023 and accounted substantial share of the worldwide market. The European market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period. The growing support from the governments of European countries for renewable energy, high installation rates of solar panels and stringent regulations on maintenance are majorly propelling the European market growth. For instance, as per SolarPower Europe, the EU solar fleet was increased from 207 GW in 2022 to 263 GW in 2023. Furthermore, an increasing number of solar farms and advancements in cleaning technologies are contributing to the expansion of the European market. Germany is currently playing the leading role in the European market and is expected to an integral role in the European market throughout the forecast period. According to the data of German Federal Network Agency Bundesnetzagentur, the solar capacity in Germany grew from 7.45 GW in 2022 to 14.2 GW, which was a 91% increase.

North America accounted for a considerable share of the worldwide market in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a notable CAGR during the forecast period. The growing adoption of solar energy, favorable government incentives and increasing awareness about the efficiency losses due to dirty panels are some of the major factors propelling the solar panel cleaning market in North America. Technological advancements and the presence of large-scale solar farms are further fuelling the growth rate of the North American market. The U.S. followed by Canada are leading the market in North America.

 KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL SOLAR PANEL CLEANING MARKET 

Companies playing a prominent role in the global solar panel cleaning market include Boson Robotics Ltd., Ecoppia, Karcher, Kashgar Solbright Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd., NOMADD, Premier Solar Cleaning, LLC, Saint-Gobain Surface Conditioning, Serbot AG, Sharp Corporation, SunBrush mobil GmbH.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE GLOBAL SOLAR PANEL CLEANING MARKET 

• In July 2022, Ecoppia, one of the key players in the solar panel cleaning market, won the Top Product of the Year Award for their H4 robot in the elite Environment + Energy Leader Awards program.
• Ecoppia announced that it will produce robotic solar cleaning tech in India and further added that it was delightful to become a success story for Israel for introducing leading technology in solar cleaning robotics. 

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE SOLAR PANEL CLEANING MARKET IS INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global solar panel cleaning market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on technology, process, mode of operation, application, and region.

By Technology

• Wet Cleaning
  • Automated
  • Water Brushes
  • Semi-Automated
• Dry Cleaning
  • Electrostatic
  • Automated Robotic

By Process

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

By Mode of Operation

• Autonomous
• Manual

By Application

• Commercial
• Residential
• Industrial
• Utility

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa