For manual cleaning, water-fed telescopic poles with soft brushes are used. Demineralized water (osmosis water) is often used to avoid residue.
Benefits:
Disadvantages:
Mechanical devices or machines are used here to speed up cleaning and efficiently cover larger areas.
Benefits:
Disadvantages:
greater technical effort
not suitable for all roofs
Cleaning robots operate automatically and are particularly suitable for large, continuous areas such as commercial roofs or ground-mounted systems.
Benefits:
Disadvantages:
higher investment costs
use depends on roof structure
In certain cases, special methods are used that work without direct mechanical contact or are particularly gentle.
Benefits:
Disadvantages:
The right method always depends on the system’s specific conditions:
There is no one-size-fits-all solution – what matters is the right combination of method and application.
Choosing the right PV cleaning method directly affects cleaning efficiency and therefore the system’s energy yield.
Those who tailor the method specifically to location, system size, and level of soiling achieve better results, reduce costs, and minimize risks.
For commercial, industrial, and agricultural systems, practical experience shows: For large areas, robot-assisted cleaning is usually the most efficient and cost-effective solution, while manual methods are primarily suitable for smaller or hard-to-access systems.
Which method is right in a specific case is closely linked to the cleaning interval – because more frequent cleanings require particularly efficient and scalable solutions.
→ How often should a solar system be cleaned?
At the same time, the following applies: Which method makes economic sense depends heavily on cleaning costs and the level of soiling.
→ What does PV cleaning cost, and when does it pay off?
Our recommendation: Have your system assessed individually. Factors such as location, sources of soiling, and system size are key in determining which cleaning method delivers the best long-term results. Sound advice helps you find the optimal strategy and avoid unnecessary costs.
The hyCLEANER editorial team brings together internal subject matter experts from various company departments – from practical application and technical development to sales and customer consulting. Together, they pursue the goal of presenting complex topics related to the cleaning of photovoltaic systems, glass surfaces, and facades in an understandable, practical, and compact way. The content is based on many years of industry experience, technical expertise, and insights from daily use in the field.
PV cleaning | Glass and facade cleaning | Cleaning robotics | Industrial cleaning
Last technically reviewed: 2026-06-17
