On August 27, 2025, Qingdao Rhino Stone Intelligent Technology Co., LTD announced the start of field testing for its next-generation EC6 PV cleaning robot. Can this smart solution tackle PV plant cleaning challenges?
As global PV installations rise, O&M faces hurdles—dust and bird droppings on modules can cut power generation by 30%. Traditional manual cleaning is costly and inefficient; mechanical methods risk damaging components. The EC6 targets an “optimized solution”.
Testing focuses on four cores: a dual-roller brush + precision water mist system (95% lab dust removal rate), validated in sandy/bird-heavy areas; AI navigation with dynamic pressure adjustment (5N contact force) for “zero cracks”; 5200mAh battery (120-minute runtime), supporting fast charging and solar power for remote sites; 8cm slim body + 5-minute modular maintenance, plus APP monitoring to ease O&M.
First tests will be conducted at a large NW China PV base (100+ dusty days/year), monitoring pollutant removal, terrain navigation, and wear costs over 30 days.
“We hope the EC6 becomes a cost-reduction tool for plant O&M,” said an engineer. If successful, it will launch in Q4 2025, prioritizing desert and rooftop plants. Industry experts believe its stable performance could accelerate PV O&M automation.