The process

How it works

Four stages from first survey to verified output recovery. No water trucks. No scaffolding. No downtime.

01

Site assessment

We survey your installation remotely and on-site , panel type, tilt angle, soiling profile, and access constraints. This determines cleaning frequency, water use (zero, in most cases), and the right drone configuration for your array.

Remote surveyOn-site visit24–48 hr turnaround
02

Drone deployment

Our drone fleet , piloted or fully autonomous depending on site complexity , launches from the site perimeter. Each unit follows a pre-mapped flight path calibrated to your panel layout, applying a controlled dry-brush or electrostatic cleaning pass at low altitude , no scaffolding, no foot traffic on panels.

Piloted or autonomousPre-mapped pathZero panel contact
03

Cleaning pass

A calibrated low-pressure water stream with a fan-shaped spray delivers gentle, even rinsing across each panel , no concentrated force, no streaking. The wide spray pattern ensures uniform coverage while minimising water volume, removing particulate matter, bird fouling, and dust accumulation without surface stress.

Low-pressure streamFan-shaped sprayEven rinsing
04

Thermal imaging scan

Post-clean, a thermal camera pass identifies hot spots, delamination, and underperforming cells invisible to the naked eye. You receive a panel-level report within 24 hours , actionable data, not just a clean surface.

Thermal cameraPanel-level report24 hr delivery

By the numbers

Measurable output recovery , every clean, every time

Output recoveryenergy restored per clean
Water per 100 panelselectrostatic process
Panels per dayper drone team

Technical specifications

The hardware behind the clean

Drone platform
Custom hexacopter , 12 kg MTOW, 45 min endurance
Cleaning system
Carbon-fibre rotary brush + electrostatic micro-mist
Imaging
FLIR Lepton 3.5 thermal + 48 MP RGB , simultaneous capture
Flight control
Autonomous waypoint navigation, RTK GPS, ±2 cm accuracy
Reporting
Panel-level thermal map + output delta , PDF + CSV export
Certifications
CAA RPAS licensed · SACAA approved · ISO 9001 compliant
Ready to start

Send us your site details , we'll scope a clean

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SOLAR IQ DRONES

Precision drone cleaning for solar , waterless, efficient, and built for South Africa.

Coverage RegionsKwaZulu-NatalGautengWestern CapeNorthern Cape
© 2026 Solar IQ Drones. All rights reserved.Dust costs you power. We take it back.