Sunny Days Ahead: Solar-LIT’s Expansion and Challenges in Emerging Markets – Kshitish Trivedi, Director – Business Development Xiamen Lanxu Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd (Solar-LIT)

Can you share some of the latest developments and updates from Solar-LIT in terms of business expansion and projects in India, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia?    

Solar-LIT is an innovative enterprise that specializes in the design, and manufacturing of autonomous robotic cleaning systems for PV solar plants.

Solar-LIT started its business in 2016 registered in South East of China in Xiamen City and expanded its footprints all over the world within a short span of time because of consistent improvements in technology, providing constant swift support to the client while supporting them with the improvement in the power generation because of the application of the Solar-LIT’s sophisticated autonomous cleaning robots for the PV solar panels.

Solar-LIT entered the Indian market with O2 Power’s 250MW, Jaisalmer project in 2021 and today has expanded its market reach by setting up a local warehouse and developing a local team of talented engineers from ARCS background to cater to the swift service demand.

We have secured the below projects in various markets:

• India Project: Serentica 600MW, 2200 robot qty, Sembcorp: 60MW, 427 robot qty,  Brookfield: 312MW, 423 robot qty
• Middle East: Qatar, 400MW, robot qty 576. Neom 1: 2230 qty  Neom 3: 2880 qty
• Africa: Kom Ombo 200MW, 326 robot qty, Kom Ombo 500MW, 1217 robot qty

What unique challenges and opportunities do these regions present for Solar-LIT’s solar robotic cleaning solutions, and how is the company addressing them?

Solar-LIT has always been innovating in the ARCS space since the execution of its first domestic project.

We have in-house laboratories to ensure the condition and life of the materials we use in our ARCS, We do have testing equipment like Salt spray test, vibration test equipment, and dust particle sensing equipment, to name a few

Indian Region projects are challenging considering the land space availability, small rows, and undulated land in some parts of the Indian Region, where Solar-LIT has innovated its market-specific products to cater to the demands and made our robot more robust and compatible with major Fixed tilt/Tracker system.

Middle East Region has been challenging in bringing out the sophisticated technology under high temperatures and ensuring the ARCS system performs well under the claimed warranty and efficiency. We have developed a non-disengaged flexible bridge for the tracker-to-tracker movement of the robot which is a patented product of Solar-LIT to further support the elimination of manual intervention in the PV plant to fix the flexible bridge  and let ARCS travel further

In a competitive market, what key features or advancements set Solar-LIT’s robotic cleaning solutions apart and make them particularly suited for the diverse climates of India, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, North and South America?

·        

1. The Indian market has great potential for photovoltaic development, and local cleaning is also facing a great demand, Solar-LIT proposed dry cleaning, to solve the problem of cleaning sand areas, and water shortage areas, and has a very high cleaning efficiency and availability.

2. In the Indian market, we have launched a semi-automatic full set of solutions with low cost of investment, high quality, convenient handling, and high cleaning efficiency. At the same time, this product has great convenience in operation and maintenance, such as charging diversity, loading and unloading easy operation, and simple maintenance.

3. We have full consideration for different climate environments, such as high temperature, high humidity, cold, and high corrosion zone we have targeted programs, in which the robot function and structure are fully adapted, and through strict third-party experimental certification and field measurement, to ensure smooth use in various regions.

Are there any upcoming product launches or innovations that you can preview, specifically tailored to the needs and demands of solar installations in India, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia?

1. India semi-automatic machine full set of lifting solutions, special carts for easy transportation, suitable for different terrain, can meet the Indian market of huge stock power stations and new development of power stations needs.

2. the new torsion model scheme can be applied to the bracket and the bracket spacing is short, fully meet the needs of cleaning and climbing.

Solar-LIT’s solutions are designed to streamline maintenance. How do these solutions address challenges such as dust, debris, and environmental factors unique to these regions?

1. Robot drive parts, electronic control parts, and battery parts have a high level of protection to meet the needs of IP65.

2. A high cleaning rate can reach more than 99.5% (Soiling loss ≤0.5%), the use of a special cleaning brush, meets the high cleaning rate at the same time, with high life, high safety (no damage to components) and other characteristics, through weather warning, sand analysis, intelligent detection, intelligent warehouse control, to ensure that the power station ash loss to the minimum.

What are Solar-LIT’s goals for further establishing itself as a leader in solar robotic cleaning solutions across India, and globally?

Solar-LIT aims to establish themselves as leader in solar robotic cleaning solutions in India and globally and has strategically following pointers in the organization:

1. *Market Expansion:*: One primary goal is to expand our presence in key markets like India, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia. This involves establishing a local office, local warehouse and local strategic partnerships to further push and ensure client’s trust in Solar-LIT’s service availability and smooth handling of the market demands.

2. *Research and Development:*: Solar-LIT has been very serious in investing in research and development to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of our robotic cleaning solutions, which is a crucial part of the ARCS technology. Innovations could include better cleaning algorithms, energy-efficient technologies, and durable materials.

3. *Customization:*: We have been constantly tailoring our solutions to meet the project-specific needs and environmental conditions of different regions and ensure a smooth journey of support from designing to execution of the project. Adapting to local climates and local solar panel types is a key goal.

4. *Cost Reduction:*: We further aim to lower the overall cost of solar panel cleaning robots and make them more competitive. This involves optimizing robot designs for manufacturing, reducing maintenance costs, and exploring alternative sustainable materials for the robots.

5. *Quality Assurance:* : Solar-LIT has always emphasized ensuring the reliability and durability of their cleaning robots. We have a very strict policy to maintain high-quality standards and offer warranties to build trust among clients.

6. *Environmental Sustainability:*: While we are into renewable energy, we have an utmost priority to make our cleaning solutions more environmentally friendly. This includes constant innovation for using sustainable materials and supports reducing water usage in cleaning processes.

7. *Regulatory Compliance:*: Keeping up with and adhering to local and international regulations related to solar panel cleaning and environmental impact is crucial for us which helps us to avoid further legal issues and maintain a positive reputation in the market.

8. *Customer Education:*: ARCS technology is relatively new for the Indian Market, most of projects have adapted ARCS to date, but the way Indian Solar Projects are being executed with more challenges, it is very much necessary to educate potential customers about the benefits of robotic cleaning solutions, challenges related to the ARCS and most important ensuring a smooth operation of ARCS by sharing various simulations scenarios to client while offering excellent customer support to ensure Solar-LIT is placed well in the market.

9. *Partnerships and Alliances:*: We are keen and further working on a strategic partnership with solar panel manufacturers, energy companies, to increase market penetration with efficient service.

10. *Global Leadership:*: Ultimately, the goal is to establish ourselves as a recognized leader not only in India but also on the global stage. This involves participating in international exhibitions and showcasing our technology on a broader scale.