PHOTOVOLTAIC CLEANING

The Challenge by Iberdrola
Thank you for your applications!

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Mission

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Categories

14k+

MW of Large-Scale Projects

the startup challenge by

Iberdrola has a global portfolio of photovoltaic (PV) projects to install more than 14k+ MW of large-scale projects. Therefore, Iberdrola is looking for solutions to improve the operation & maintenance in PV power plants.

What is the Challenge about?

Why

Iberdrola is committed to clean & renewable energy to move towards a sustainable, safe, and competitive energy model. Part of this commitment is the constant search to improve efficiency and/or reduce O&M costs to increase the competitiveness of renewable energy. In this regard, PV solar generation is one of the utility’s focus areas.

What

Iberdrola is looking for solutions that help to improve the O&M in large PV power plants (>100 MW). Among the maintenance activities, and due to water scarcity on most sites, the company is looking for “waterless” solutions to clean photovoltaics in a sustainable & efficient way.

The Requirements

Proposals for solutions can include, but are not limited to:
• Fixed/portable solutions that can be utilized for several PV plants
• Remotely/fully autonomous operated solutions
• Preventing stick stains or dissolving stick stains
• Solutions that are energy-independent from the PV plant
• Solutions compatible with fixed-tilt or single-axis tracker installations

Where

Proposals should be applicable for any (or all) of these cases PV power plants bigger than 100 MW with:
• fixed-tilt (3 vertical panels per string, 2 meters high each)
• multi-row single-axis tracker (one panel per string)
• one-row single-axis tracker (2 panels per string)
• generic solution applicable for different types of plant configurations

Pilot Project

The Challenge offers the possibility to test the technology in Iberdrola's Renewable Facilities.

New Clients & Investors

If the pilot succeeds, Iberdrola will add solutions to the current portfolio of providers to improve the O&M in their PV plants. Besides, Perseo, the VC arm of Iberdrola, could consider an investment.

Scalability of Business

The Challenge offers the possibility to scale your technology into Iberdrola's pipeline (14,000 MW of Solar Photovoltaic Panels).

Timeline

Application Starts
5 September 2019

Application Deadline
18 October 2019

Winner Announcement
Jan/Feb 2020

Pilot Project
Feb/Mar 2020

Questions?
Contact Iberdrola

IberdrolaChallenge@iberdrola.es

FAQ

See our responses to some of the most common questions or view the complete Terms and Conditions.

Who can apply to the PHOTOVOLTAIC CLEANING Challenge?

This challenge looks for innovative, cost-efficient and eco-friendly solutions to clean solar PV panels in large scale plants. It is envisaged that in the areas were solar PV plants will be built, there will be water restrictions, so waterless approaches are desirable.

The main features that will be considered are the following:

• Fixed or Portable solutions that can be utilized for several PV plants close together
• PV plant configuration: fixed-tilt or single axis tracker installations
• Remotely operated solutions and/or fully autonomous solutions
• Solutions to prevent stick stains
• Solutions to dissolve and remove stick stains
• Solutions energy independent from the plant

Proposals should be applicable for any (or all) of these cases PV power plants bigger than 100 MW with:

• fixed-tilt (3 vertical panels per string, 2 meters’ high each)
• multi row single-axis tracker – one panel per string
• one row single-axis tracker – 2 panels per string
• or a generic solution applicable for different types of plant configurations

Can I submit more than one proposal?

You are welcome to submit more than one proposal, just make sure to submit a separate application for each.

What are the Challenge's key benefits for my company or entity?

There are many reasons why you should apply for this Challenge:

• The Challenge offers the possibility to test the technology in Iberdrola's Renewable Facilities.
• If the pilot succeeds, Iberdrola will add solutions to the current portfolio of providers to improve the O&M in their PV plants. Besides, Perseo, the VC arm of Iberdrola, could consider an investment.
• The Challenge offers the possibility to scale your technology into Iberdrola's pipeline (14,000 MW of Solar Photovoltaic Panels).

What do I need to know about the Pilot Project?

The winner of the challenge will sign a collaboration and testing agreement with Iberdrola Renewables and/or any other relevant company of the Iberdrola Group.

Iberdrola and/or the relevant company will:

• bear the costs of such collaboration and testing activities
• provide the technical support to test the solution proposed, granting access to equipment, teams, infrastructures, high-tech locations, and co-working areas
• provide a real environment and data to test the solution