An Exclusive Interview with Chao Kaik, Sales Director at Sol-Bright, on Advancing Solar Robotic Cleaning in the Middle East

1. How does Sol-Bright’s solar robotic cleaning technology enhance the efficiency and longevity of solar PV systems in the Middle East’s harsh climate?

At Sol-Bright, we recognize that the Middle East’s climate presents significant challenges for solar PV systems, primarily due to heavy soiling in desert areas. Most large-scale solar farms in the region are exposed to continuous dust accumulation, which drastically reduces the efficiency of solar panels. If left unattended, this buildup leads to power losses and even the formation of hot spots, which can cause irreversible damage to solar modules.

To counter these issues, we have developed fully automated dry-cleaning robotic solutions that ensure daily cleaning without water or manual intervention. Our robotic technology removes accumulated dust and debris effectively, preventing efficiency losses and safeguarding solar panels from long-term deterioration.

One of the biggest advantages of our dry-cleaning technology is that it eliminates the need for water, a crucial factor in a region where water scarcity is a major concern. Our robotic cleaning system also helps to optimize energy generation, with projects experiencing an increase in output of over 20% on average, and in extreme soiling conditions, even up to 30%. By keeping the panels consistently clean, our robots ensure solar farms operate at peak efficiency while extending the lifespan of the modules

2. How does Sol-Bright address the unique challenges posed by large-scale solar farms in the Middle East, including energy consumption and maintenance efficiency?

The Middle East is home to some of the world’s largest solar farms, with gigawatt-scale projects becoming increasingly common. These massive solar parks present unique operational challenges due to their vast sizes and long module rows, which often extend up to 2 kilometers. In such large setups, our robots must complete round trips of over 4 kilometers, demanding highly efficient power management and long operational endurance.

To meet these demands, Sol-Bright has developed highly efficient and durable robotic systems that are optimized for extended travel distances and continuous operation. Additionally, we have engineered our robots to navigate challenging terrains. Unlike smaller solar farms with uniform, level ground, many Middle Eastern solar farms are built on uneven and rugged land. Our robots have been designed to function more like off-road SUVs rather than city sedans, allowing them to handle rough conditions without performance issues.

Another challenge in large-scale solar projects is minimizing manual maintenance requirements. With such vast panel arrays, relying on manual labor for cleaning or robot troubleshooting is neither practical nor cost-effective. Our robots are fully autonomous and require minimal human intervention, ensuring maximum operational efficiency. These features make Sol-Bright’s robotic cleaning solutions particularly well-suited for the Middle Eastern solar industry, where efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability are key priorities

3. What innovations is Sol-Bright introducing to the market to further optimize its robotic cleaning systems for higher efficiency and sustainability in the Middle East’s solar sector?

Innovation is at the heart of Sol-Bright’s commitment to advancing solar maintenance technology. This year, we are proud to introduce our latest Generation 7 cleaning robots, which bring two major breakthroughs that specifically enhance performance in Middle Eastern solar farms.

Twisting Structure for Tracker Systems:

One of the major challenges in large-scale solar farms is ensuring smooth cleaning across tracker-based systems, which are widely used in the Middle East. Due to angle deviations or construction errors between adjacent trackers, traditional cleaning robots often get stuck, requiring manual intervention. To solve this, our Generation 7 robots feature a twisting structure, allowing them to rotate their plates and seamlessly cross over these deviations without interruption. This significantly enhances cleaning efficiency and reduces downtime.

Non-Disengaging Bridge Design:

Another innovation in our latest robotic system is the non-disengaging bridge, a breakthrough solution that allows robots to handle tracker misalignments caused by Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) inconsistencies. This feature ensures that the robot can travel smoothly across panel rows, even when facing construction errors, further improving reliability and reducing the need for manual adjustments.

Both of these innovations make our robots even more autonomous, intelligent, and efficient, minimizing human intervention while maximizing performance. As a fully automated robotic supplier, our goal is to create a truly self-sustaining cleaning system that ensures uninterrupted solar power generation while reducing maintenance costs and enhancing overall project sustainability

4. How do you see the growing adoption of solar energy in the Middle East influencing the demand for automated cleaning solutions, and what role will Sol-Bright play in this transformation?

The Middle East is witnessing an unprecedented expansion in solar energy adoption, with governments and private investors committing to large-scale solar projects. Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are developing some of the world’s largest solar farms, making this region a critical hub for renewable energy growth.

As solar installations increase, so does the need for efficient and scalable cleaning solutions. Without proper cleaning, solar panels in desert environments can suffer significant efficiency losses, making automated cleaning essential for maintaining optimal power output. Manual cleaning is neither feasible nor cost-effective for gigawatt-scale projects, leading to an inevitable rise in demand for robotic solutions.

Sol-Bright has been at the forefront of this transformation since we began installing robotic cleaning systems in the Middle East in 2017. Over the past eight years, we have continuously refined our technology to meet the region’s evolving needs. Our robotic solutions are now fully optimized for Middle Eastern conditions, ensuring reliable, water-free, and efficient cleaning across large-scale solar farms.

Moving forward, Sol-Bright will continue to play a key role in shaping the future of solar maintenance in the region. With our strong regional presence, local partnerships, and ongoing technological advancements, we are committed to enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of solar farms across the Middle East