• Proper cleaning can improve solar panel efficiency by up to 70%
• Automated systems keep panels free of dust and other debris

Haifa AlShammari

RIYADH: Harsh, dry and hot weather conditions in Saudi Arabia increase the chances for solar photovoltaic cells to get damaged by sand and dust storms, bird droppings, and the “hot spot effect”, which can overheat the panels and cause fires.

“Without proper cleaning, the power reduction can reach 70 percent in one month, according to some professional statistics on the market,” said Chao Kaik, a representative of the robotic cleaner producer Sol-Bright, at the Saudi Arabia Green Energy Week 2025 event in Riyadh on Wednesday.

On the other hand, having the PV cells cleaned greatly increases the amount of energy generated by these panels, according to Kaik.

The cleaning robots complete a fully automated cycle every day, reducing the need for workers to enter PV panel areas.

“It is fully automated and highly efficient … this is why robots are very popular in the MENA region right now,” Kaik said.

Saudi Arabia is increasingly taking a greener approach to energy production, with major projects including the 2.6 gigawatt Shuaibah and 1.5GW Sudair projects among the largest of their kind in the world.

Most of the projects in the region suffer from the effects of the harsh climate, making the robotic cleaners essential.

Saudi Arabia Green Energy Week 2025 kicked off on Wednesday with discussions on green energy in the Kingdom, the sustainable goals of Vision 2030 and the work of Chinese technology companies in Saudi Arabia.

“From the future of solar power to the impact of hydrogen and renewables projects in KSA and MENA, the Saudi Arabia Green Energy Week 2025 has provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration,” said Mohammed Al-Ghazal, chairman of Saudi Arabia Green Energy Week 2025, at the opening session of the conference.

Al-Ghazal added: “Investments in green energy and technology are charting the course to make climate neutrality a reality.”