Kaust-founded solar panel cleaning technology developer Nomadd Desert Solutions has gained funding and a strategic alliance with grid project developer Cepco.
Nomadd Desert Solutions, a Saudi Arabia-based solar panel cleaning technology spinout of King Abdullah University of Science Technology (Kaust), today raised an undisclosed series B sum from electricity grid project developer Cepco.
Founded in 2013, Nomadd Desert Solutions has developed a robotic cleaning device for solar panels that uses finely calibrated, motor-powered brushes to scrub away debris without access to water.
The device is particularly useful for solar farms in deserts which endure extreme heat and aridity while being coated with pollutants such as sand and dust.
Nomadd will target solar operators in regions containing deserts such as the Middle East and North Africa, where solar electricity is becoming more prevalent due to the existence of strong solar radiation.
The series B capital will help scale up Nomadd’s business to fulfil an anticipated rise in customer orders. Nomadd will also tap technical expertise from Cepco, which will advise the spinout on technology development and options for manufacturing the devices within Saudi Arabia.
Kaust’s Innovation Fund previously supplied Nomadd Desert Solutions with $1m in series A capital in June 2016.