Field Evaluation of a Drone-Based High-Pressure Cleaning System for Residential Rooftop Photovoltaics in Tropical Malaysia

Wan Nor Hami Bin Wan Isa; Wan Mazlina Binti Wan Mohamed; Abu Hanifah Bin Hj Abdullah

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.90262

Field Evaluation of a Drone-Based High-Pressure Cleaning System for Residential Rooftop Photovoltaics in Tropical Malaysia

Author(s)	Mr. Wan Nor Hami Bin Wan Isa, Prof. Dr. Wan Mazlina Binti Wan Mohamed, Prof. Abu Hanifah Bin Hj Abdullah
Country	Malaysia
Abstract	Residential rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems in tropical environments are susceptible to surface soiling, while conventional cleaning may require direct work at height or elevated-access equipment. This study evaluates a ground-fed, non-contact drone-based high-pressure cleaning system for residential rooftop PV in Malaysia. Engineering trials considered spray-lance lengths of 600, 900 and 1200 mm; operating pressures of 1800, 2500 and 3000 psi; and zig-zag, circular and hybrid flight strategies. The selected field configuration used a 900 mm customised lance, 1800 psi, a fan-shaped spray, a nominal flow rate of 13 L/min, an approximately 3 m stand-off distance and a hybrid flight strategy. The field programme covered 150 residential PV systems across Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. Mean daily energy yield was 21.706 kWh/day during the pre-cleaning observation period and 32.571 kWh/day during the post-cleaning period, with a mean within-system difference of 10.864 kWh/day. The mean system-level percentage change was 49.82% (paired t(149) = 30.582, p < 0.001; Cohen’s dz = 2.50). This is an observed pre–post operational response, not an irradiance-normalised cleaning gain: simultaneous uncleaned controls and uniform plane-of-array irradiance measurements were unavailable. In the access-constrained cost scenarios assessed, estimated drone operating costs were lower than manual-cleaning costs when a skylift was required; the comparison was sensitive to roof access, location, mobilisation, labour and local rates. The findings support the technical feasibility of the integrated aerial-nozzle hose system and indicate the need for controlled, irradiance-normalised studies and broader economic evaluation.
Keywords	Keywords: photovoltaic cleaning; unmanned aerial vehicle; drone cleaning; solar PV maintenance; soiling; residential rooftop PV; tropical climate; energy yield; cost-effectiveness
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-21
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i05.90262

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Field Evaluation of a Drone-Based High-Pressure Cleaning System for Residential Rooftop Photovoltaics in Tropical Malaysia

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