Fraunhofer IDMT shows novel approach to acoustic cleaning of large photovoltaic surfaces
Contactless, efficient, sustainable – at the world’s leading trade fair for the solar industry in Munich from May 7 to 9, 2025, the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT will be presenting a new approach to cleaning large photovoltaic systems using structure-borne sound.
The soiling of photovoltaic modules leads to a loss of up to 20 percent in yield. But how can large-scale and hard-to-reach photovoltaic systems be effectively cleaned of dust and sand without wasting too much water or damaging sensitive module surfaces? The “AkSoRe” research project aims to provide a leading-edge answer to this question. The project partners Silberform AG and Fraunhofer IDMT will be presenting an initial demonstrator at the Intersolar trade fair in Munich next week.
Technology of the future meets application
At the heart of the project is a novel process for cleaning PV modules using targeted mechanical vibrations. The technology uses structure-borne sound to remove soiling such as dust or sand from the module surfaces without contact – completely without water or mechanical abrasion and with virtually no maintenance.
The market for cleaning photovoltaic modules is growing rapidly – by 2033 alone, the global market volume is expected to reach around 1.85 billion US dollars. This illustrates the enormous demand for sustainable, low-maintenance solutions, especially in regions with high dust levels and water shortages.
“With our acoustic cleaning technology, we want to address this issue and create real value for the solar industry. Our goal is to make energy generation from PV systems even more sustainable and efficient”, explains project manager Andreas Männchen from Fraunhofer IDMT.
Live presentation at the trade fair
At their joint stand in Hall A2, booth236, development partners Silberform AG and Fraunhofer IDMT will be vividly demonstrating how the acoustic cleaning principle works. Come and see this innovative approach to reliable PV module cleaning for yourself.
About the AkSoRe project
The AkSoRe research project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) as part of the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) until June 2027.
ZIM is the federal government’s largest funding instrument for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. It supports research and development projects carried out by small and medium-sized enterprises and the research institutions they cooperate with.
In the research project, Fraunhofer IDMT is developing a simulation model to investigate the vibration behavior of PV modules. Its aim is to determine the optimal positioning and control of the structure-borne sound exciters for the vibration excitation of the PV modules. In addition, the institute is developing algorithms that enable efficient cleaning under real conditions.
Silberform AG is supporting the project with its many years of experience in the development and manufacture of structure-borne sound exciters for acoustic and industrial applications, as well as a service provider for sustainable building technology.
The third partner in the research project is J.v.G. Technology GmbH, being responsible for the design of suitable solar energy systems with its expertise in that field.
