A major advantage of agri-parks is the possibility of dual land use. Solar modules can be installed on agricultural land without interfering with agricultural use. This so-called "agri-photovoltaics" makes it possible to grow food and generate solar energy at the same time. This leads to a more efficient utilisation of land resources and reduces the pressure on unused natural areas. Partial shading by solar modules can protect certain plants from excessive heat and evaporation. This can lead to a better growing environment in hot and dry regions and increase crop yields. The integrated use of solar technology can therefore not only provide energy, but also higher agricultural productivity.
"However, it should be noted that the solar panels can be exposed to heavy soiling due to this agricultural use. This can be caused by the dust generated by tractors and harvesting machines as well as by the extensive spreading of fertiliser or similar," says Markus Geßner, Head of Marketing and Sales at Emil Otto GmbH. Emil Otto specialises in the production of fluxes for solar panel production as well as the production of cleaning media for the panels themselves. "Due to the combined use of cultivated areas and the resulting contamination of solar technology, we believe that the cleaning agents used must be ecologically highly compatible. After all, everything that drips off the solar panels or ends up in the soil by other means ends up in our food chain," continues Geßner.
For this reason, the company has developed a range of highly effective and readily biodegradable cleaners that are formulated on a water base and have been specially developed for use in solar parks. Thanks to their excellent surface wetting properties, the cleaners can be applied by spraying, brushing and with automatic cleaning systems. Depending on the degree of soiling, alkaline, acidic or neutral cleaners can be used. These are generally VOC-free and dissolve even the most stubborn soiling, from dust and salt soiling such as limescale and lime compounds and deposits to lichen, moss and algae. Cleaning restores the optimum efficiency of the solar module. Emil Otto cleaners leave no greasy residues that can stick together and harden under UV radiation. They are gentle on the system and other materials used and are also non-aggressive towards electronic components.