Water accumulation, whether it’s rainwater or from any other source, can ruin the structure and durability of a rooftop PV system. To deal with the soiling and water issues on rooftop solar systems, Solarud- a Portuguese startup, has come up with a water draining device.

It is designed and developed to eliminate the risk of soiling around the frames of low inclined PV panels on slopy roofs by draining the water that may remain stagnant and lead to moisture problems. Not only this, the device is effective in resolving dust and soiling issues and can be easily clipped to solar modules.

The new water draining device is manufactured to fit the panels with frame heights of 40 mm, 35 mm or 30 mm, and thicknesses between 8 mm and 11 mm. When it comes to roofs, the most suited are the ones with 3 degrees to 20 degrees slopes.

As per the company director, the device was designed keeping the types of rooftop solar panel installations in mind as they have a greater soiling concern because of outdoor existence and lesser maintenance accessibility. Though the device is not meant for cleaning and maintenance purposes, the soiling removal support it offers is of much use and plays an effective role in improving the energy production of the solar PV systems.

Also, the company claims that the energy gains one can enjoy are up to 3.5% on average, with better energy generation and performance that can be raised with portrait installation of solar panels.

A case study conducted by Solarud stated that the energy gains between two equal strings in the same installation were better in the one with Solarud compared to the other without it.

The new draining device is developed and manufactured locally in Portugal and is available for bulk purchases globally. Each piece is made of UV-resistant recyclable plastic that ensures longer durability.

Conclusion

Solarud, a Portuguese startup, has come up with a water draining device to deal with the soiling and water issues on rooftop solar systems to eliminate any risk of soiling around the frames of PV panels on low inclined slopy roofs.