The Challenge of Keeping Solar Farms Efficient
Solar farms are a fantastic way to generate clean energy but keeping them running at peak efficiency is no small task. While the UK’s largest solar farm currently spans a massive 250 acres, plans are afoot to trump this with a 400-acre solar energy farm in Norfolk.
Imagine trying to keep all those photovoltaic panels clean! Dust, bird droppings, pollen, and other debris can significantly reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the panels, leading to a drop in energy output.
The loss of output can be significant; up to 10% in moderate conditions and reaching as much as 40% in a particularly arid and dusty environment. While the UK isn’t considered arid, certain agricultural activities such as cereals harvesting and tilling dry soil can substantially increase airborne dust levels, while high-altitude storms can carry desert dust several thousands of miles to the UK.
Regular maintenance ensures panels perform as they should, but the challenge is finding a practical and cost-effective way to clean them, particularly for smaller solar farms where the cost of a sophisticated, dedicated cleaning system isn’t financially viable.
Why Cleaning Solar Panels is a Tough Job
Cleaning solar panels on a large scale isn’t as simple as hosing them down. These farms stretch across acres of land, meaning you need a mobile cleaning solution with enough water storage and an efficient delivery system. The cleaning unit must also be compact enough to navigate between rows of solar panels without causing damage.
For the biggest solar farms, dedicated high-tech machinery has been developed to automate the cleaning process. However, these specialised systems come with a hefty price tag, making them a viable option only for the largest farms or professional solar panel cleaning contractors. For smaller solar farms, an alternative solution is needed – one that balances effectiveness with affordability.
A Smart Solution: Customised Tungsten Bowsers
This is where Tungsten Tanks comes to the rescue: a customised Tungsten bowser offers a practical, adaptable and cost-effective solution for keeping solar panels clean.
Tungsten bowsers come in various designs, including highway tow, site tow and skid-mounted options. These robust tanks can store and transport large quantities of water, making them ideal for mobile cleaning operations.
Adapting a standard tractor or ATV site-towable water bowser by adding a long-reach brush with an integrated hose will create a dedicated solar panel cleaning unit tailored to the needs of smaller solar farms.
To increase the versatility of these units, we can fit them with extra-long hoses that enable lines of solar panels stretching for 20, 30 or 40 metres to be washed before the bowser requires repositioning.
The Benefits of a Tungsten Bowser for Solar Panel Cleaning
A customised Tungsten bowser offers several key advantages:
Cost-Effectiveness
Unlike expensive, high-tech cleaning machinery, a Tungsten bowser provides a more affordable solution without compromising on effectiveness. By adding easily removable accessories, the bowser can also be adapted for other tasks to maximise the return on investment.
Versatility
These bowsers can be used for various applications beyond solar panel cleaning, making them a smart investment. Skid-mounted bowsers can be temporarily placed on a truck bed or ATV platform, then removed after use so the vehicle can be used for other purposes.
Manoeuvrability
Designed to be towed by tractors or ATVs, Tungsten bowsers can navigate narrow pathways between solar panel rows with ease.
Capacity
With ample water storage, cleaning sessions can be carried out efficiently without constant refilling.
Customisability
Tungsten offers a wide range of accessories and modifications to create the perfect system for any cleaning or other dispensing requirement.
Not Just for Solar Farms
While solar panel cleaning is a prime example of how Tungsten bowsers can be adapted for specific tasks, their versatility extends much further Whether you need a mobile water, chemical or fuel supply with a specialised dispensing system, Tungsten has a solution to suit your needs.
Tanks-UK: The Tungsten Specialists
Looking for an affordable and efficient way to keep your solar farm clean? Talk to the experts today at Tanks-UK, the UK’s Tungsten Tanks specialists. Get in touch now to find the perfect mobile cleaning system for your solar panels!