All systems go for UAE’s first PV rooftop with cleaner robot ‘army’

February 21, 2019
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
The Masterbaker project near Dubai features modules with Canadian Solar dual-glass 72 cells (Credit: Enerwhere)

Construction of a 1MW solar rooftop equipped with robot cleaners has concluded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reportedly marking a first for the Persian Gulf nation.

10,000 square metres of the 12,500sqm roof covering Masterbaker’s plant at Dubai’s Jebel Ali Technopark are now covered by some 3,300 PV panels, installed by solar contractor Enerwhere.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The site includes Canadian Solar's dual-glass 72 cell 320Wp modules, as well as 15 units of 60kW string inverters supplied by SMA. The modules will be maintained by what Enerwhere described as an “army” of  34 robotic cleaners.

Built with a 30-year lifespan, the facility was designed by Dubai agency Dimx Atelier. Construction began in late August 2016 and reached completion in Q1 2018, with plans now to produce an annual 1,711MWh in PV power.

Masterbaker director Ronnie Khajotia underscored the installation’s future environmental benefits. According to the bakery supplier, the rooftop will slash its CO2 emissions by 914 tonnes a year.

Meanwhile, Enerwhere CEO Daniel Zywietz said the firm is “extremely pleased” to have delivered UAE’s first rooftop to come with fully automated cleaning technology. The news follows announcements, earlier this month, that its work delivering a 18.1MW rooftop also in Dubai – reportedly the largest of its kind seen to date in the Middle East – was nearing completion.

The Masterbaker PV project is the latest to tap into robotic cleaning technology, an innovation EPC analysts singled out last year as defining for PV players facing sandstorm risks and dry climate.

The past few years have seen robot cleaners added to PV projects in locations including Israel and the Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh states in India.

Read Next

October 30, 2025
Global net zero by 2050 is now “impossible” and the world is on course for temperature rises of 2.6°C, according to energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
October 30, 2025
New Zealand’s Genesis Energy has announced plans to acquire and develop a 271MWp solar project in Waikato, on the country’s upper North Island. 
October 30, 2025
Meridian Energy, a New Zealand state-owned energy company, has begun the construction of its 230GWh Ruakaka solar plant. 
October 29, 2025
French firms TotalEnergies and EDF, with local partners, secured contracts for 400MW and 600MW solar projects in Saudi Arabia, supporting Vision 2030 renewable goals.
October 28, 2025
GreenYellow plans to invest US$116 million in Poland over the next three years to expand its installed capacity and customer base.
October 28, 2025
GoldenPeaks Capital secures EUR114 million (US$132 million) financing package for two solar PV Portfolio in Poland.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany