The sun is a clean and almost inexhaustible source of energy, but exploiting it to produce electricity is not easy due to the technical challenges it entails. Among these, the accumulation of dirt on solar panels, especially when installed with a low inclination, is quite a pain. Dust, sand and water can damage the modules and compromise (sometimes significantly) their performance. What if I told you that there is a gadget that alone can make a big difference to the situation? Something simple, like a small clip?
Solarud and the “panel clip”
Solarud is a Portuguese startup founded in 2022 by three engineers (Antonio, Miguel, Vasco) passionate about renewable energy. Their goal is to improve the efficiency of solar systems with simple and reliable solutions. The small water drainage device they have developed aims to reduce maintenance costs and increase the profitability of solar systems.
The clip patented by Solarud works in an elementary way. Essentially, it's an accessory that attaches to the bottom edge of the solar panel and allows water to drain away easily, preventing sand and dust from building up. It is compatible with solar panels 28 to 40 mm thick. According to the startup, the clip increases electricity production by an average of 3.5% over the course of 25 weeks. It may not seem like much, but the impact on profitability is significant. Installation is ridiculously quick and easy: you bend the tabs to the size you want and attach them to the panel. End.
One clip for everything
The simplicity of the invention pushed the creativity of the developers forward. For this reason, after the first "model" of the clip, other solutions were born to adapt to different needs. The “flagship” clip, called Solarud Nextgen, is the second version, more robust and less expensive than the initial one. Then there is a "Nano" version suitable for panels with an inclination of less than 15 degrees (they have even more drainage problems), and for panels positioned next to each other.
What to say? Simple and effective. Hats off to the two Portuguese engineers who, with their invention, demonstrate how sometimes it takes very little to make a big step forward in the field of renewable energy. We still have huge room for improvement: just go down this road with conviction :)
