Solar industry: challenges in operating PV systems
The solar industry is facing growing challenges: increasing competitive pressure, shrinking margins, and the need to operate photovoltaic systems (PV systems) at maximum efficiency over the long term. For plant operators, this means one thing above all: Every percentage point of performance loss has a direct impact on returns.
A frequently underestimated factor is the soiling of solar modules (soiling). Even light deposits from dust, pollen, or industrial emissions can measurably reduce energy yield—often by 5–15%, and significantly more in heavily polluted environments.
With rapid expansion, the focus within the solar sector is shifting: while the emphasis used to be on new installations, today the economic operation of existing PV systems is taking center stage. Topics such as performance optimization, maintenance, solar cleaning, and operating costs are becoming increasingly important.
The 5 biggest challenges in solar industry plant operations—and how solar cleaning affects profitability
1. Yield losses due to soiling (contamination)
Soiling is one of the key issues in the day-to-day operation of PV systems. Deposits such as dust, pollen, industrial emissions, or bird droppings reduce the modules’ light transmission and therefore directly reduce power generation.
Even minor soiling leads to:
- 5–30% energy loss due to soiled solar modules
- up to 20% lower power generation with long cleaning intervals
- noticeable loss of returns within just a few months
Ground-mounted systems and industrial rooftops in polluted environments are particularly affected.
In the solar industry, soiling is not an isolated case, but a systematic efficiency loss in PV systems.
2. High operating costs due to manual cleaning
Manual cleaning of PV systems involves considerable effort and quickly becomes a relevant cost factor in operations (O&M).
Typical cost factors:
- Skilled personnel for large-scale solar systems
- Safety measures (e.g., fall protection)
- Use of aerial work platforms or specialized equipment
Additional burdens:
- Planning and coordination effort
- Operational interruptions
- limited cleaning intervals
In practice, the cost of solar cleaning is often €1–€3 per m², while significant yield losses occur at the same time due to soiling.
As system size increases, these costs rise disproportionately—making manual cleaning increasingly inefficient.
3. Lack of inspection and late fault detection in PV systems
Many damages to solar modules are detected too late— especially when systems are not cleaned and visually inspected regularly. Soiling conceals defects on the module surface. Cracks, hotspots, or material fatigue often go unnoticed because there is no continuous visual inspection.
Typical consequences:
- Defects remain undetected for a long time
- Problems only become visible when performance drops
- Yield losses increase gradually
Additional risks:
- technical damage continues to develop
- failures of individual modules or strings
- rising repair costs
Especially in large solar parks, regular inspection and cleaning of PV systems is crucial.
4. Integration of storage and economic system optimization
As the solar industry continues to evolve, integrating battery storage is becoming increasingly important. Operators increase self-consumption, reduce peak loads, and optimize energy systems.
One key point is often overlooked: Storage only optimizes the energy that is actually generated.
- Soiled modules reduce energy generation
- lower yields limit the benefits of storage
economic potential remains untapped
This means:
- Maximize energy generation (e.g., through solar cleaning)
- then optimize with storage
A clean PV system is the foundation for cost-effective system optimization.
5. Lack of know-how in cleaning, timing, and implementation
Cleaning of PV systems is often not carried out regularly or systematically.
The key is not only whether cleaning is done, but when,how often and using which method it is cleaned.
The optimal time depends on:
- Module temperature
- Solar irradiation
- Weather conditions
Frequency is also site-dependent:
- Dust exposure
- Industrial emissions
- Precipitation
Professional solar cleaning is carried out with:
- demineralized water
- gentle technology
- automated cleaning systems
Typical mistakes:
- Cleaning in unsuitable weather conditions
- incorrect cleaning agentsor hard water
- mechanical damage to the modules
The result is inefficient cleaning, performance losses, or damage to PV systems. This makes it clear: Solar cleaning is a decisive factor for the profitability of photovoltaic systems.
hyCLEANER: solutions for solar cleaning of PV systems
hyCLEANER offers specialized solutions for the cleaning of solar systems and solar parks and addresses key challenges in plant operations.
Benefits of hyCLEANER:
Maximum efficiency
Maximum energy yield through clean modules
Intelligent automation
Reduction of operating costs
automation instead of manual processes
Maximum safety
Sustainable & durable
Regular cleaning ensures the long-term preservation of your investment.
FAQ on the solar industry and solar economy
How much does soiling affect the performance of solar systems?
Soiling can reduce energy production by up to 30%, depending on location and environmental conditions.
Why is cleaning so important in the solar economy?
How often should solar systems be cleaned?
That depends on the location and the level of soiling. In many cases, regular cleaning is essential.
What are the benefits of automated cleaning?
What are the biggest challenges in the solar industry?
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