A large, 200MW ground-mounted photovoltaic power station in the Gobi Desert of Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, faces a severe cleanliness challenge. Built in 2020, the station covers over 5,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) and utilizes fixed support systems. Annual precipitation in the area is less than 100 mm, but sandstorms are frequent, with an average of more than 15 days of blowing sand each month. Dust accumulates heavily on the surface of the solar panels, averaging over 8% dust obstruction per week and severely impacting power generation efficiency.
Chief Engineer Wang, who oversees the power plant’s operations and maintenance, explained that the plant previously relied primarily on manual cleaning. In the Gobi Desert, this required a cleaning team of over 80 people, taking over 20 days to complete. This was not only costly but also inefficient. Later attempts were made to use traditional cleaning vehicles, but the narrow spacing between the solar panels made turning difficult and posed a safety risk of damaging the panels. The most challenging aspect was the extreme scarcity of local water resources, with the transportation cost exceeding 30 yuan per ton. The water consumption associated with traditional cleaning methods was unsustainable for the power plant.
In August 2023, the power plant introduced the XYT X6 suspended solar panel cleaning robot system, initially piloting it in a 50MW area. The system utilizes a track-mounted suspension design, with movement and cleaning operations controlled by remote control.
In actual use, the X6 robot has demonstrated reliable performance. Its stable and reliable suspended structure, coupled with a fall prevention device, effectively ensures safety during high-altitude operations. The operator can precisely control the robot’s travel speed and cleaning intensity using a remote control, flexibly adjusting operating parameters based on the degree of panel contamination. The system’s power warning system provides timely battery status information, ensuring uninterrupted operation.
The X6 robot features a fully enclosed design, with key components meeting IP65 protection ratings. This effectively resists wind and sand erosion, making it perfectly suited to the Gobi Desert’s unique environment. Each robot can clean up to 2MW of material daily, achieving cleaning efficiency over eight times higher than manual labor. Furthermore, the device utilizes a highly efficient water spray system, saving 65% of water compared to traditional cleaning methods, significantly reducing water consumption.
After three months of trial operation and data monitoring, power generation efficiency in the application area has significantly improved. Data shows that module power generation efficiency increased by 10.8% after cleaning. Thanks to regular cleaning, power generation efficiency fluctuations have been reduced from 25% to less than 12%. Annual power generation revenue is expected to increase by approximately 3.2 million yuan.
Chief Engineer Wang stated, “Compared to traditional cleaning methods, the X6 system saves us over 1.8 million yuan in cleaning costs and nearly 80,000 tons of water annually. The equipment is simple to operate and maintain, with a payback period of approximately 1.5 years, resulting in significant economic benefits.”
Furthermore, the X6 system significantly reduces the safety risks of high-altitude operations. Remote control eliminates the need for cleaning personnel to be physically present, effectively ensuring operational safety, especially in inclement weather. The equipment’s anti-fall design provides reliable protection for high-altitude operations, giving operators greater peace of mind.The power plant has now completed installation of the X6 system across its entire 200MW area and established standardized cleaning procedures. The Xiangyangtian X6 suspended solar panel cleaning robot, with its reliable performance, practical functions, and significant economic benefits, has become an ideal choice for cleaning operations at the Gobi Desert photovoltaic power plant.
This successful case demonstrates that the XYT X6 suspended solar panel cleaning robot, with its practical design and reliable performance, effectively solves the challenges of solar panel cleaning in challenging environments. As the solar panel industry continues to develop, XYT will continue to uphold a pragmatic and innovative philosophy, providing the industry with more reliable, efficient, and practical cleaning solutions.