TERRABONA
Service
Drone Solar Park Cleaning
Extended solar parks cleaned by drone, planned per zone with documented coverage.
Overview
Utility-scale solar parks require an organised cleaning approach with clear mapping, water management and coordination with plant operation.
TERRABONA plans works per zone or per inverter, with coverage documentation that integrates into asset-management records.
Suitable surfaces and contamination
Property types
- Utility-scale solar parks
- Plant portfolios
- Independent power producers
- Renewable investment portfolios
Structural elements
- Fixed-tilt structures
- Tracker systems
- Extended array fields
- Parks in arid or coastal environments
Surfaces
- Module cover glass
- Anti-reflective coatings
Contamination
- Dust and sand
- Pollen
- Salt
- Bird contamination
- Airborne dust from neighbouring activity
Methodology
- Site mapping and zone definition
- Water supply and replenishment points planned
- Coordination with plant operations and SCADA
- Zone-by-zone cleaning with progress logging
- Completion report including coverage map
Technical parameters
Water and pressure
- Demineralised or purified water to avoid mineral deposits.
- Low pressure compatible with module manufacturer specifications.
- Water conductivity and quality verified on site.
- Non-contact method selected where appropriate.
- Consumption calculated per MWp for supply planning.
Cleaning agents
- Water-only cleaning as standard to protect module coatings.
- Products used only with manufacturer or owner approval.
- Substances affecting anti-reflective coatings avoided.
- Documentation maintained to protect equipment warranties.
Limits and weather
- Work avoided when module temperatures are high.
- Wind limits for stable flight above array rows.
- Scheduling outside peak production hours where required.
- Airspace review across extended installations.
- Coordination with SCADA and operations personnel.
Access and zones
- Exclusion zones per array section under work.
- Site electrical safety rules observed at all times.
- Coordination with plant maintenance personnel.
- Defined support-vehicle routes inside the site.
Environment
- Water consumption controlled per module.
- Runoff free of chemical load where water-only cleaning is applied.
- Electrical equipment and connections protected.
- Project environmental parameters recorded.
Operational disruption
- Scheduling aligned to production sensitivity.
- Sectional work per inverter or per zone.
- Minimal interference with plant operation.
- Agreed in advance with the asset manager.
Quality control
- Visual cleanliness inspection per array.
- Before-and-after photographic documentation per zone.
- Modules with visible defects recorded and reported to the owner.
- Completion report including a coverage map of the site.
Maintenance
- Cleaning cycles based on dust, pollen and local conditions.
- Seasonal programmes for arid or coastal installations.
- Multi-year maintenance contracts for solar portfolios.
- Frequency reviewed against client-supplied performance data.
Information required for assessment
- Installed capacity and site area
- Topography and accessibility
- Water availability and quality
- Seasonality of soiling
- Production and availability requirements
Frequently asked questions
How often should a park be cleaned?
Frequency depends on location, soiling rate and performance data. It is recommended after assessment.
Is a shutdown required?
Usually not. Works are scheduled per zone with minimal effect on plant operation.
Related industries
Assessment
Start your project assessment
Submission of project information does not constitute acceptance, approval or confirmation. Every project is subject to technical, commercial, regulatory, safety and operational assessment.