• A recent report details a waterless solar cleaning system design developed to address the challenge of dust accumulation on solar panels in arid regions; it is one of multiple waterless cleaning systems that have come about in recent years.
• The study reported a significant 26.2% average increase in power output and reduced losses due to dust accumulation.
• The development of this waterless system design has the potential to unlock new opportunities for energy access and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa, although cost and availability questions remain.
• Waterless solar panel cleaning systems could be particularly beneficial in arid regions where water scarcity is a significant issue; this technology can help to support sustainable development and reduce the strain on local water supplies.

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As the world grapples with the challenges of meeting rising electricity demand, particularly in developing countries, solar energy has emerged as a beacon of hope. In sub-Saharan Africa, where energy poverty is a persistent challenge, the potential for solar energy is vast.

Monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels have become a popular choice for solar energy generation in the region. These panels convert sunlight into electrical energy, providing a clean and renewable source of power. However, efficiency is affected by the harsh environmental conditions in arid regions.

One of the major challenges facing solar panels is the accumulation of dust, bird droppings and other contaminants on the panel surface.

Research has shown that dust accumulation can significantly reduce a solar panel’s power output up to 56% over time, compared with clean modules. Research also shows that the method of cleaning affects solar panel efficiency, depending on whether soap or pressurized water are used. “Cleaning using water is an effective method but it needs pressurized water or a cleaning brush to help the water to remove sticky or muddy particles,” the authors of a 2013 Energy Conservation and Management study write. The study also notes that surfactants (soap) help maintain the panel’s efficiency.

A Syrian man, Abdul Razzaq Al-Jenan, cleans solar panels on his house roof, in Damascus. Image by AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed.

In many parts of the world, manual cleaning of solar panels using water, brushes and mild soap is a common practice, but it has downsides: It can be labor-intensive, and in arid regions, where water scarcity is a significant issue, manual cleaning of solar panels is not a viable option.

To address this challenge, a team of innovators has designed an automated waterless solar panel cleaning system. According to the researchers, “The system uses an ejector blower for air jet cleaning and a flexible brush for dust sweeping, ensuring efficient cleaning.” This innovative solution is designed to be efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

The system is controlled by an Arduino Uno microcontroller and a real-time clock, which schedules cleaning sessions to ensure maximum efficiency. The use of sensors to detect dust levels and adjust cleaning frequency accordingly ensures that panels operate at optimal levels. The researchers note that “the system recorded a significant 26.23% average increase in power output and reduced losses due to dust accumulation.”

The objective of this research, published in January in the journal Unconventional Resources, was to design and implement an automated cleaning system that could reduce the energy lost from solar panels due to dust buildup, and simplify the cleaning process. It is one of several waterless solar cleaning systems that have come about in recent years. Solar panel cleaning systems can be costly, with some new systems up to tens of thousands of dollars.

A worker sprays the road surface to keep the dust down at the Horus photovoltaic power station in Chiquimulilla, south of Guatemala City. Dust can significantly reduce a solar panel’s efficiency, and cleaning can be a major challenge in arid regions with water scarcity. Image by AP Photo/Moises Castillo.

Solar panel cleaning in Nigeria

Nigeria, particularly the northern states such as Kano, Kaduna,and Katsina, faces significant challenges in harnessing solar energy due to the harsh environmental conditions and water scarcity in the region. Despite the abundance of sunlight, the accumulation of dust and other contaminants on solar panels has significantly reduced their efficiency and power output.

Chika Ujah, one of the recent study’s co-authors from the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development, confirmed in an email to Mongabay that the waterless cleaning system could be well-suited for Nigeria’s solar belt, in the north, where dust and seasonal conditions can affect panel efficiency, and its design eliminates the need for water, reduces labor and allows for scheduled cleaning, “Nigeria’s solar belt faces regular soiling from dust, traffic, farming activity and seasonal conditions. The paper’s waterless, two stage cleaner uses an air jet plus a flexible rolling brush under Arduino control with a real time clock and limit switches, so it does not need mains water, keeps labor low, and lets users schedule cleaning to match local seasons.”

He added, “These features fit Nigeria’s warm, dusty periods and water stress, especially for small and medium PV sites common in communities and SMEs,” small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Nigeria’s solar sector is rapidly growing, with the country having one of the highest solar radiation levels globally, making it an ideal location for solar energy production. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Nigeria’s solar potential is estimated to be around 427,000 MW. However, the current solar capacity in Nigeria remains low.

Workers install solar panels on a house roof in Lagos, Nigeria. Sources in Nigeria say cleaning is a challenge, particularly in areas of water scarcity, and that a waterless system could be beneficial if available and affordable locally. Image by AP Photo/Sunday Alamba.
Farmer Pravinbhai Parmar cleans a solar panel installed at a farm in Dhundi village of Kheda district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Image by AP Photo/Ajit Solanki.

Solar energy accounts for a small percentage of Nigeria’s electricity generation mix, with most of the country’s power coming from fossil fuels and only 10% coming from renewables. Despite this, there is a growing interest in solar energy, particularly for off-grid and mini-grid applications, which can provide electricity to communities and SMEs that lack access to the national grid.

In Nigeria’s solar belt, which includes states like Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto, solar panels are being used to power homes, businesses and community infrastructure.

Regarding the waterless system’s effects on efficiency and sustainability, “On a 60 W panel the system raised average output by 26.23 percent, with daily energy rising from 124.2 W to 156.77 W across the test window. That uplift directly improves yield and payback while the waterless design conserves scarce resources and reduces site logistics. Automated cycles also support safer operations at schools, clinics and small businesses where staff time and water are limited,” Ujah said in an email.

In northern Nigeria, where the sun shines brightly for most of the year, experts said this waterless cleaning system could be a game changer as a reliable and efficient way to maintain solar panels, ensuring that they operate at maximum capacity. With the potential to increase energy output and reduce maintenance costs, this innovation has the potential to transform the way solar energy is harnessed in the region.

Workers cleaning solar panels work on the rooftop of a factory on the outskirts of Jinan in eastern China’s Shandong province. Image by AP Photo/Ng Han Guan.

Engineer Oluwatoyin Oghenekogie, a Lagos-based solar panel expert with Fountain Power Technique, told Mongabay that the waterless cleaning system design is a breakthrough for water-scarce areas like northern Nigeria, as it eliminates maintenance hassles and ensures steady power generation. “The place in the part of the country that lacks water will quickly embrace this game changer, and of course it will bring about steady and effective power,” he said, adding that it would “definitely have a significant impact in Nigeria, as it will eradicate frequent maintenance. The role it will play will be massive because it will be maintenance free.”

However, it’s not a viable option yet — not for Nigerians. “Since this type of system isn’t available in Nigeria’s market, pricing can’t be determined,” the engineer said.

Adesogbon Joshua, a solar panel seller based in Lagos, told Mongabay that waterless cleaning systems would be ideal for the Sahara desert region due to water scarcity and dust issues, making them a better option than traditional methods. However, when asked about the cost of such a system, he confirmed it’s not yet available locally. “As far as I’m concerned, this type of system is not in the Nigeria market yet,” he said. “Though I’ve heard about the idea, and I think it’s really good.”

He added, “In the Sahara desert region, waterless solar panel cleaning systems seem like an ideal solution due to the scarcity and high cost of water supply. Dust accumulation is a major concern for solar panels in this area. From my experience with water-based cleaning, high water pressure can effectively remove dust, but it also has drawbacks, such as potentially scratching the panel’s surface when using a brush or even damaging the panel due to excessive pressure.

“I have only recently learned about waterless solar panel cleaning systems, but given the advancements in technology, I believe they’re a welcome development that serves multiple purposes,” Joshua said.

Babatunde Busari is a business owner in Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun state who runs a cleaning services company, including laundry, powered by a 60 kW commercial solar system. He shared his experience with Mongabay. “We clean the system once or twice a year,” he said. “Sometimes I do it myself with my boys, and sometimes we hire professionals. They charge between 50,000 and 60,000 naira [$34-41] for a 3-4 hour job.”

On the possibility of adopting a waterless solar panel cleaning system, Busari said, “If it’s not too expensive, I would gladly buy it. I haven’t seen one before, but if the advantages are more than the traditional panels, why not? I would definitely consider it.”

Banner image: A yurt with solar panels in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Dust in desert regions can reduce a solar panel’s output, yet cleaning is a challenge in areas with scarce water. Image by Bernard Gagnon via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

Citations:

Nezamisavojbolaghi, M., Davodian, E., Bouich, A., Tlemçani, M., Mesbahi, O., & Janeiro, F. M. (2023). The impact of dust deposition on PV panels’ efficiency and mitigation solutions: Review article. Energies, 16(24), 8022. doi:10.3390/en16248022

Moharram, K., Abd-Elhady, M., Kandil, H., & El-Sherif, H. (2013). Influence of cleaning using water and surfactants on the performance of photovoltaic panels. Energy Conversion and Management, 68, 266-272. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2013.01.022

Nkinyam, C. M., Ujah, C. O., Nnakwo, K. C., Ezeudu, O., Kallon, D. V., & Ike-Eze C. Ezema, I. (2025). Design and implementation of a waterless solar panel cleaning system. Unconventional Resources, 5, 100131. doi:10.1016/j.uncres.2024.100131

Shao, Y., Yang, Z., Yan, Y., Yan, Y., Israilova, F., Khan, N., & Chang, L. (2025). Navigating Nigeria’s path to sustainable energy: Challenges, opportunities, and global insight. Energy Strategy Reviews, 59, 101707. doi:10.1016/j.esr.2025.101707