Solar Panel Cleaning Market Size - By Technology, By Process, By Mode of Operation, By Application, Growth Forecast, 2026 - 2035

Solar Panel Cleaning Market Size

The global solar panel cleaning market was estimated at USD 1.22 billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow from USD 1.27 billion in 2026 to USD 1.72 billion in 2035, at a CAGR of 3.5%.

• The solar panel cleaning market is experiencing accelerated growth due to a constellation of interconnected drivers, ranging from performance optimization and technological evolution to large-scale solar deployment.
   
• Panels accumulate dust, pollen, bird droppings, and industrial pollutants, which act like a shading filter. According to the International Energy Agency’s PVPS program, soiling can reduce annual energy production by approximately 3–5%, amounting to losses of about USD 3–5 billion globally from extra operating and capital expenses. This global financial impact underscores why plant operators are increasingly investing in cleaning services to recoup lost revenue.
   
• Utility-scale solar farms, some spanning hundreds of acres, are now mainstream with significant advantage. For example, operating costs for large solar farms in the U.S. can reach USD 10,000–USD 30,000 per megawatt annually for operations and maintenance, including cleaning. A 10-MW facility can spend around USD 5,000–41,000 annually on cleaning and vegetation control. The sheer scale of these farms necessitates specialized, efficient cleaning services, fueling solar panel cleaning market growth.
   
• Solar installations in dusty deserts and semi-arid climates key growth areas are especially vulnerable. The U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reports that in such regions, peak soiling losses can reach 80%, with annual losses consistently above 20%. These stark figures compel asset owners to schedule regular cleaning cycles to preserve output, driving adoption of both manual and automated cleaning solutions.
   
• Cleaning methods have rapidly evolved from manual washing to autonomous robotic systems, dry-brush solutions, and electrostatic dust removal. Government-backed R&D efforts like the U.S. Department of Energy and NREL’s anti-soiling studies support development of coatings and robotics to mitigate dust accumulation. This innovative wave makes cleaning more efficient, environmentally friendly, and scalable, prompting greater industry uptake.
   
• Regions with acute water stress such as the Middle East, North Africa, parts of India, and the American Southwest are limiting traditional wet-cleaning approaches. The UN World Water Development Report notes that 2 billion people lack access to safely managed water. This has spurred the development and uptake of waterless cleaning systems and dry-robotic cleaning technologies, aligning with environmental sustainability goals and enabling cleaning in water-constrained zones.
   
• Professional cleaning is becoming integral to asset management. In the U.S., a standard cost of USD 0.75 per panel, plus contractor fees, is often justified by productivity gains. Clean solar farms produce more power and reduce downtime and equipment wear outcomes that improve return on investment. Monitoring systems trigger cleaning when output dips, turning cleaning into a strategic operational decision rather than ad hoc maintenance.
   
• Global solar energy rollout is being supported by both policy and finance. The IEA estimates that global solar PV capacity reached 1,419 GW by 2023, a 73% increase from 2021. Large-scale renewable projects, often including mandatory operation and maintenance contracts, inherently include regular cleaning. Meanwhile, governments and financiers are deploying grants and subsidies for performance-enhancing technologies, including advanced cleaning robots. For instance, utility-scale projects increasingly specify automated cleaning criteria in procurement bids.
   

Solar Panel Cleaning Market Trends

• Major providers are scaling fleets of autonomous, waterless robots capable of operating overnight. For instance, Ecoppia’s fleet has been deployed across 35 large-scale sites, cleaning over 15.7 billion panels and saving nearly 1.8 billion gallons of water, showing the power of nocturnal robotic efficiency. By blending mobility, autonomy, and waterless operation, these systems deliver consistent cleaning while preserving limited resources.
   
• Drones are increasingly used for rapid surface surveys, dirt detection, and even direct cleaning assistance. Some offer hybrid models that combine aerial inspection with ground-based robotic cleaning to identify soiled panels and ground robots to execute targeted cleaning. This synergy enhances speed, precision, and safety, especially in remote or large-scale farms.
   
• AI-powered sensor systems now optimize cleaning schedules based on real-time panel conditions and environmental data. Platforms like ClearSpot.ai reduce water usage by approximately 35% by cleaning only when needed. Similarly, predictive models using machine learning forecast soiling losses and automatically plan maintenance, cutting unnecessary cleaning by nearly 30%. This shift from time-based to condition-based cleaning enhances efficiency and resource conservation.
   
• Advanced nanocoatings are being developed to keep panels cleaner for longer periods. Research on multifunctional coatings containing ZnO, SiO₂, and chlorophyll notes up to a 22% boost in energy output and a 9.6 °C reduction in surface temperature, thanks to self-cleaning and thermal management properties. Similarly, self-cleaning, self-healing nanocoating solutions in Europe claim up to a 15% increase in efficiency, with surfaces repelling dirt and moisture. These innovations significantly reduce cleaning frequency and overall O&M costs.
   
• Water-free technologies are gaining momentum, especially in water-stressed regions. India's Photon Technology offers robots that clean 1.5 MW daily using rotating brushes and airflow, avoiding water use entirely. Similarly, Nigerian researchers developed a waterless cleaning prototype that boosted power by over 26% post-cleaning. Such systems save essential water resources while delivering substantial performance gains.
   
• Battery-driven robots like IFBOT’s X3 and Solabot systems are being deployed for daily maintenance across varied settings. IFBOT's X3, a lightweight (~6 kg), fully autonomous robot, navigates panel arrays, including tilt roofs, at night, using dry cleaning brushes and vacuum suction for waterless and surface-friendly operation. Solabot’s fleet operates via LIDAR-guided navigation, brush rollers, and electrostatic heads that clean without water, with cloud dashboards for fleet control. These battery-operated, autonomous systems reduce labor cost, risk, and ecological impact.
   
• The solar panel cleaning market is embracing digital transformation with IoT-integrated service platforms. Around 65% of cleaning firms now use digital tools for route planning, scheduling, and customer engagement. Tools like Fieldproxy offer AI-based route optimization, weather-aware scheduling, and performance-triggered cleanings that drive substantial efficiency gains i.e. 30–40% improvements in productivity and 60% reductions in admin time. This connectivity ensures responsive, data-driven cleaning operations.
   

Solar Panel Cleaning Market Analysis

• Based on technology, the wet cleaning segment is anticipated to exceed USD 1 billion by 2035 since its wet cleaning, using water, often with mild detergents, excels at removing sticky or caked-on debris like pollen, bird droppings, and industrial fallout. Field tests show that wet cleaning restores an additional 2–5% of panel efficiency compared to dry-only methods in heavily soiled conditions. This thorough removal is essential for preserving peak energy output in challenging environments.
   
• Water acts as a lubricant during cleaning, significantly reducing friction and the risk of micro-scratches on panel surfaces. This protects delicate anti-reflective coatings (ARCs), which are notably vulnerable during dry cleaning. By safeguarding panel integrity, wet cleaning helps maintain long-term efficiency and prolong equipment lifespan.
   
• In hot climates, water-based cleaning offers dual benefits: cleaning and cooling. Research shows a combined cleaning-and-cooling system can boost panel output by over 30%, thanks to both debris removal and reduced operating temperature. This dual-purpose approach is especially valuable in desert regions where panels often face thermal stress.
   
• Modern wet cleaning technologies are increasingly integrated into autonomous systems with smart water management. These systems apply only the necessary amount of demineralized water, reducing consumption by up to 90% compared to manual cleaning processes. This ensures wet cleaning remains sustainable and viable, even in water-stressed regions.
   
• Similarly, dry cleaning segment is expected to cross USD 600 million by 2035 since it is the go-to solution in areas where water is scarce or expensive, such as deserts and semi-arid zones. It allows solar farms to maintain efficiency without relying on water resources, aligning with sustainability and regulatory requirements in water-stressed regions.
   
• Unlike wet cleaning, dry cleaning eliminates costs related to water procurement, storage, and transportation. For remote solar farms, this significantly reduces operational complexity and makes maintenance more economical. Dry cleaning systems, especially robotic ones, enable quick, daily or weekly cleaning without waiting for water supply or drying time. This is critical in high-soiling environments where dust accumulation can rapidly degrade performance.
   

• Based on process, the semi-automated segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5.5% by 2035. Semi-automated systems combine human oversight with mechanized tools, offering a middle ground between labor-intensive manual cleaning and costly fully autonomous robots. This balance makes them attractive for mid-sized solar farms that need efficiency without heavy capital investment.
   
• In regions where labor is affordable, but automation is still developing, semi-automated solutions provide a practical option. They reduce physical strain and time compared to manual cleaning while avoiding the high upfront costs of fully robotic systems, making them ideal for cost-sensitive projects.
   
• Semi-automated tools, such as motorized brushes or portable cleaning machines can adapt to varied panel layouts, including rooftops, ground-mounted arrays, and tilted structures. This versatility ensures they can serve diverse solar projects without complex customization. Compared to manual cleaning, semi-automated systems deliver faster and more uniform results.
   
• Unlike fully automated robots, semi-automated systems require minimal technical expertise for operation and maintenance. This makes them suitable for regions with limited access to advanced technical support, ensuring reliability without dependency on specialized technicians. Many semi-automated machines integrate controlled water spraying systems, enabling efficient wet cleaning while minimizing water waste.
   
• Automated segment holds the market share of 36.49% in 2025 since they are essential for utility-scale solar projects spanning hundreds of acres. These farms cannot rely on manual or semi-automated methods due to time and labor constraints. Automated solutions ensure consistent cleaning across thousands of panels, maintaining optimal energy output without operational delays.
   
• Automation minimizes reliance on human labor, which is often costly and subject to availability issues. It also reduces safety risks associated with manual cleaning in harsh climates or elevated installations. This makes automated systems a strategic choice for improving workforce efficiency and safety compliance. Automated systems can operate during low-light hours, ensuring panels are clean before peak sunlight. This proactive approach prevents performance losses from dust accumulation and supports predictive maintenance.
   

• The U.S. solar panel cleaning market is anticipated to exceed USD 138 million by 2035. The U.S. experienced its strongest solar growth in 2024, installing nearly 50 GWdc, a 21% increase over the previous year with almost 41.4 GW in the utility-scale segment alone. This rapid expansion, particularly in dusty states like Texas and California, directly amplifies the need for panel cleaning services.
   
• In remote zones prone to desert dust storms and minimal rainfall, soiling can reduce panel output by over 30%, which drives deployment of automated and water-efficient cleaning systems. The Inflation Reduction Act’s investment incentives for clean energy further encourage large-scale solar development, indirectly boosting demand for preventive maintenance and cleaning technologies to protect asset returns.
   
• Europe’s solar infrastructure is now highly robust, exceeding 338 GW of cumulative capacity by the end of 2024, an addition of 65.5 GW for the year. Utility-scale installations comprised about 42% of new capacity, positioning them as significant consumers of professional cleaning services. Policy frameworks such as Germany’s EEG and the EU Green Deal emphasize maximizing system efficiency, prompting contract terms that include regular cleaning for yield preservation.
   
• Government and institutional investments are central to this ecosystem. In North America, the Inflation Reduction Act fosters solar growth, which flows into O&M sectors, including cleaning. Europe’s EIB and EBRD loans for utility-scale PV projects often include O&M clauses specifying panel maintenance. In Asia Pacific, renewable energy contracts backed by national policies in India, Australia, and Vietnam routinely include cleaning obligations frequently addressed via automated dry or water-efficient systems due to environmental constraints.
   
• Additionally, Countries like UAE and Saudi have deployed ambitious roadmaps Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 targets 75% renewables by 2050 and Abu Dhabi aims for 30% by 2030 backed by USD 150–200 billion in clean energy investments. These projects include stringent O&M clauses, making regular panel cleaning mandatory, while also attracting global tech players to introduce advanced cleaning systems.
   
• The Middle East experiences extreme temperatures and frequent sandstorms, leading to severe soiling: dust deposition can reduce panel output by up to 80% if left uncleaned. Even with biweekly cleaning, ground-mounted arrays face 3–5% output losses due to soiling. These harsh conditions make regular wet or water-efficient cleaning essential.
   
• The Middle East and Africa deeply influence the solar panel cleaning market since rapid solar deployment, environmental extremes, sustainable resource policies, and contract-driven cleaning obligations converge to create powerful, long-term demand. As solar projects proliferate, so will the value and adoption of robust, efficient cleaning technologies tailored to these high-need regions.
   

Solar Panel Cleaning Market Share

• The top 5 companies in the solar panel cleaning industry are Ecoppia, Airtouch Solar, Aegeus Technologies, SunBrush mobil GmbH, AX System. They are contributing around 30% of the market in 2025.
   

Solar Panel Cleaning Market Companies

Major players operating in the solar panel cleaning industry are:

• Aegeus Technologies
• Airtouch Solar
• AX Solar Robot
• Ecoppia
• Greenleap Robotics
• HekaBot
• hyCLEANER GmbH
• IFBOT
• Kärcher
• Leopard Dust
• Premier Solar Cleaning, LLC
• Saint Gobain
• Sharp Clean Limited
• Solabot
• SolarCleano
• Sun pure Technology
• SunBrush mobil GmbH
• Taypro
• Vayu Solar
• Washpanel
   
• In May 2025, In Q2 2025, Ecoppia secured contracts covering over 2 GW of solar farms globally, reinforcing its position as a leader in autonomous, water-free cleaning solutions. The company’s AI-driven robotic systems helped clients achieve up to 35% higher energy yield in arid regions, while saving millions of liters of water.
   
• In 2025, Airtouch Solar reported record deployments of its AT 4.0 robotic cleaners across India and the Middle East, driven by partnerships with major renewable developers like Adani Green Energy. The company’s innovative waterless technology contributed to operational cost reductions and improved plant efficiency.
   

Solar Panel Cleaning Industry News

• In April 2025, Ecoppia launched a fleet of AI-powered, water-free robotic cleaners operating overnight across utility-scale solar farms. Since deployment, their robots have maintained over 35 large-scale sites, cleaning more than 15.7 billion panels and saving nearly 1.8 billion gallons of water enhancing efficiency and addressing soiling losses of up to 50% in dusty regions.
   
• In April 2025, Airtouch Solar secured a USD 6 million contract with Adani Green Energy to deploy its latest AT 4.1 waterless robotic cleaning systems across Rajasthan solar parks. This marks Airtouch’s third major order under a master supply agreement, aiming to boost energy output while aligning with UN SDG 6 by significantly reducing water usage.
   

The solar panel cleaning market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2022 to 2035, for the following segments:

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Market, By Technology

• Wet Cleaning
  • Semi-Automated
  • Automated
  • Water Brushes
  • Others
• Dry Cleaning
  • Electrostatic
  • Automated Robotic
  • Others

Market, By Process

• Semi-Automated
• Automated
• Water Brushes
• Electrostatic
• Automated Robotic
• Others

Market, By Mode of Operation

• Manual
• Autonomous

Market, By Application

• Residential
• Commercial
• Industrial & Utility

The above information has been provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • UK
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Spain
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Australia
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Turkey
  • South Africa
  • Egypt
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina