Boosting solar performance through robotics and local expertise

Challenge

West Africa’s solar sector is expanding rapidly, driven by abundant solar resources and growing electricity demand. However, the region’s harsh environmental conditions pose significant operational challenges. Dust accumulation can substantially reduce the performance of photovoltaic panels, while conventional cleaning methods are labour-intensive, costly and often require large volumes of water, a scarce resource in many parts of the region.
At the same time, many solar installations face limited access to technical expertise, spare parts and specialised maintenance services. These constraints increase operational costs, reduce energy output and affect the long-term viability of solar investments. As a result, they also hinder the solar sector’s ability to fully contribute to the region’s energy transition and climate objectives.

Innovative solution

The project supports the deployment of Solarcleano’s autonomous robotic cleaning technologies across West Africa, with an initial focus on Senegal and neighbouring markets.
The solution combines autonomous solar panel cleaning, inspection and thermal analysis capabilities in a single platform. The technology enables solar operators to maintain optimal panel performance while significantly reducing water consumption, operational costs and reliance on manual cleaning processes.
To ensure long-term sustainability, the project will establish a permanent operational hub in Senegal, serving as a regional centre for training, technical support and spare parts distribution. Through partnerships with local stakeholders, the initiative will strengthen technical capacities and facilitate the adoption of advanced maintenance solutions across the region.

Impact

• Average improvement of at least 5% in the energy performance of solar power plants, generating additional energy equivalent to the consumption of at least 1,000 people
• Reduction in water consumption associated with solar panel maintenance
• Establishment of a regional operational, training and logistics hub in Senegal
• Training of 40 local technicians and operators in the use and maintenance of robotic cleaning technologies
• Creation of 6 qualified employment opportunities linked to solar operations, maintenance and technical support