Solar IQ Drones
Est. 2026Recovering lost solar output , one clean at a time
Solar IQ Drones was founded after witnessing first-hand how much output a commercial solar farm loses to dust accumulation , and how inadequate the existing cleaning options were. Water trucks, manual labour, and long service intervals were the norm. We built a better answer.
We operate across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape and the Northern Cape , the four provinces where soiling rates are highest and water scarcity makes conventional cleaning most problematic. Our process is water-efficient , Solar IQ Drones uses a calibrated low-flow system that delivers spotless panels with water-wise consumption.
How we work
- Mission
Solar panels lose 15–30% output to dust and soiling. We recover that loss , without water trucks, without scaffolding, without disrupting operations. Autonomous drone cleaning is the only method that scales to the size of the problem.
- Technology
Our drones carry dry-brush and electrostatic cleaning heads paired with thermal imaging. Every clean is verified: we capture pre- and post-clean output data so clients see the exact performance recovery, not an estimate.
- Environment
Water-efficient by design. Our calibrated low-flow system delivers spotless panels with minimal consumption , 5–15 litres for residential installations, 40–120 litres for commercial and utility-scale farms. No chemical runoff. No heavy vehicles on array surfaces. Built for South Africa's water-scarce regions.
- Section 12B
South Africa's Section 12B tax incentive allows businesses to deduct 100% of the cost of renewable energy assets. Regular drone cleaning extends panel lifespan and preserves asset value , directly supporting the depreciation base that Section 12B is designed to protect.
Tax incentive
Section 12B
South Africa's Section 12B of the Income Tax Act allows businesses to deduct 100% of the cost of qualifying renewable energy assets in the year of installation. This includes solar panels, inverters, and associated infrastructure.
Regular cleaning preserves the performance and lifespan of those assets , protecting the depreciation base the incentive is built on. A panel degraded by soiling is a panel losing both output and asset value simultaneously. Our cleaning contracts are structured to align with annual maintenance schedules, making them straightforward to document for tax purposes.
Consult your tax advisor regarding eligibility. Solar IQ Drones does not provide tax advice.
A small team , built around the problem, not the pitch
We are two people with direct experience in solar operations and drone technology. We don't subcontract cleaning crews. Every site assessment, every clean, and every output verification is handled by us , or by technicians we have trained and certified.
We operate under SACAA Part 101 drone regulations and carry full public liability insurance. Our cleaning protocol was developed over 18 months of field testing across residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations.
Get in touch →A successful entrepreneur driven by innovation and committed to sustainability.
[email protected]+27 (0) 82 853 1885A results-focused businesswoman with environmental expertise, leading the marketing and growth strategy of Solar IQ Drones.
[email protected]