Renewables
Solar cleaning robot provider reaches capacity milestone in India
Solar technology manufacturer LEAPTING has surpassed a major deployment threshold in the Indian market.
Key points
- LEAPTING has deployed over 50,000 robotic units across Indian utility-scale solar projects.
- The company showcased its upgraded G1 Plus cleaning system at the Renewable Energy India Expo 2026.
- Water scarcity and dust accumulation are accelerating the shift toward automated dry-cleaning technologies.
Solar cleaning equipment manufacturer LEAPTING has achieved a significant deployment milestone by surpassing 10 gigawatts of cumulative capacity across India, according to Mercom India reporting. The firm has distributed upward of 50,000 robotic units to engineering, procurement, and construction contractors as well as independent power producers throughout the country.
During the recent Renewable Energy India Expo 2026 held in Greater Noida, the enterprise presented its latest G1 Plus Intelligent Solar Cleaning Robot. According to Gaurav Gaba, Head of India Sales at LEAPTING, quoted by Mercom India, the new iteration features redesigned high-density polybutylene terephthalate brushes and brushless direct current motors. The device includes a 1P variant weighing about 45 kilograms suited for tracking systems and a 2P version weighing approximately 55 kilograms for fixed-tilt arrays. Furthermore, the 1P model can twist up to 25 degrees to navigate structural gaps and obstacles.
Dust accumulation poses severe challenges for large photovoltaic installations, degrading internal rates of return through generation losses, Mercom India noted. Water scarcity and environmental, social, and governance obligations are accelerating the transition from manual washing to automated dry-cleaning systems. These robots integrate with supervisory control and data acquisition networks, operating outside peak generation hours to reduce labor overhead and potential panel damage.
Why it matters
India achieved an electricity access rate of 99.9 percent in 2024, alongside a renewable energy share of 19.1 percent in 2021, according to World Bank figures provided by CEII Data. As emerging economies rapidly expand photovoltaic capacities to meet rising power demand, maintaining operational efficiency through advanced operation and maintenance technologies becomes paramount.
For African energy markets and international investors observing utility-scale solar deployment, mitigating soiling losses without depleting scarce water resources offers a critical blueprint for arid and semi-arid regions. Ensuring long-term reliability via comprehensive maintenance frameworks safeguards project economics and enhances the viability of large-scale renewable investments across developing power sectors.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
19.1% of electricity in India was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
