Rourkela: Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered autonomous system capable of monitoring and cleaning solar panels only when required, a breakthrough that could significantly enhance the efficiency of solar power plants while reducing maintenance costs and water consumption.
The innovation, titled “Federated Learning Based Autonomous System and Method for Monitoring and Cleaning Solar Plant,” has been granted an Indian patent.
The technology was developed by Prof. Arun Kumar, Prof. Bibhudatta Sahoo, and research graduates Dr. Lopamudra Hota and Dr. Biraja Prasad Nayak from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
AI and Federated Learning at the Core
The patented system leverages Federated Learning (FL), an advanced branch of Artificial Intelligence that enables intelligent monitoring of solar panels while ensuring data privacy and security.
Unlike conventional monitoring systems that transmit raw operational data to central servers, the NIT Rourkela solution shares only encrypted model updates. This approach minimizes cybersecurity risks, reduces bandwidth usage, and safeguards sensitive operational data.
By combining AI with privacy-preserving technologies, the system offers a more secure and efficient solution for managing large-scale solar installations.
Smart Cleaning Based on Actual Panel Condition
According to the research team, dust, bird droppings, and industrial pollutants can reduce the efficiency of solar panels by up to 40 per cent, particularly in utility-scale solar farms located in arid and dusty regions.
Traditional cleaning methods are often labour-intensive, water-intensive, and carried out at fixed intervals regardless of whether the panels actually require cleaning.
The newly developed AI-powered system addresses these limitations by continuously monitoring the condition of solar panels, automatically detecting dirt accumulation, identifying panels that need maintenance, and initiating selective cleaning only where required.
This targeted approach helps conserve water, reduce operational costs, and improve overall power generation efficiency.
Advanced Features for Smarter Solar Plants
Beyond intelligent cleaning, the system incorporates several advanced technologies designed to optimise solar plant operations.
Key features include:
- AI-based dirt detection and monitoring
- Federated Learning for secure data processing
- Edge computing for faster decision-making
- Predictive maintenance capabilities
- Autonomous fault detection
- Selective and need-based cleaning
Together, these capabilities enable operators to improve plant performance while minimising unnecessary maintenance activities.
Prototype Development and Future Deployment
The technology has currently been validated through simulations at Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-3.
The research team now plans to develop a hardware prototype integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and conduct pilot deployments in collaboration with government agencies and industry partners.
Successful field testing could pave the way for commercial deployment across India’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector.
Wide Range of Applications
The AI-powered monitoring and cleaning system can be deployed across multiple types of solar energy infrastructure, including:
- Utility-scale solar parks
- Floating solar power plants
- Rooftop photovoltaic installations
- Industrial solar facilities
- Smart city infrastructure
- Defence establishments
- Remote off-grid renewable energy systems
Its versatility makes it suitable for both public and private sector renewable energy projects.
Supporting India’s Clean Energy Goals
Researchers estimate that, once commercialised, the technology could deliver advanced AI-driven solar maintenance capabilities at nearly 10 per cent of the cost of comparable existing solutions.
The innovation is expected to contribute significantly to India’s National Solar Mission and the country’s Net Zero ambitions by making solar energy infrastructure more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective.
With its combination of Artificial Intelligence, secure data processing, and autonomous maintenance, the patented technology represents another major research achievement for NIT Rourkela and reinforces India’s growing leadership in smart renewable energy solutions.
