SANKO HOLDING SUCCESS STORY
About the Project
Project Capacity: 70 MWp
Location: Gaziantep
Product Used: RTM Pro – 6 units
Project Type: Rooftop
About Sanko
Sanko Energy is one of Turkey’s leading renewable energy investors. A subsidiary of Gaziantep-based Sanko Holding, the company was institutionalized in 2006 and began operations under the name Sanko Energy Group. Centering sustainability in energy production, Sanko Energy invests entirely in renewable sources. In this vision, its solar power plant investment in Gaziantep is of strategic importance for regional energy supply, environmental sustainability, and local development.
Located in and around Gaziantep Organized Industrial Zone, the facility provides clean energy to industrial enterprises while significantly reducing carbon emissions. With an installed capacity of 70 MWp, Gaziantep SPP can produce approximately 45 million kWh of electricity annually, enough to meet the annual energy needs of around 15,000 households. Additionally, about 30,000 tons of carbon emissions are prevented each year. Sanko Energy’s solar plants not only generate electricity but also serve as a model to promote eco-friendly energy in cities like Gaziantep with high solar potential.
Problem/Opportunity
In hot and dry regions like Gaziantep, traditional water-based panel cleaning methods strain water resources and reduce energy efficiency. Dust, pollen, and industrial particles quickly accumulate on panels, reducing clean energy production by 15–20%. Moreover, the delicate glass surfaces risk damage with conventional cleaning tools, increasing maintenance costs and threatening operational continuity.
Key project criteria included:
- •Low water consumption technology aligned with sustainability goals
- •Special cleaning robots that do not damage glass panel surfaces
- •Systems capable of effective cleaning against heavy dust in Gaziantep
- •Long-term engineering collaboration between Sanko Energy R&D and cleaning system developers
- •Sustainable solutions based on minimum water use, energy efficiency, and reduced environmental impact
- •Fast, autonomous, mobile solutions to clean hundreds of thousands of panels within short periods (e.g., 15 days) in large-scale plants
Solution
To address these needs and ensure climate-friendly power generation, Sanko Energy implemented RTM Pro robotic cleaning systems with low water consumption technology. Thanks to their special brush design and precise movement:
- •Cleaning without damaging glass surfaces
- •Removing dust, pollen, and industrial dirt with minimal water
- •Operating continuously day or night, minimizing cleaning time
As a result, thousands of panels were cleaned quickly, cost-effectively, and without harming the environment, increasing both panel efficiency and lifespan.
Outputs
Successful cleaning of glass-glass panels without damage
Protection of scarce water resources with low water consumption
Up to 13% increase in energy production with regular cleaning
Extended panel life, reduced maintenance frequency and costs
The fast and effective after-sales support was the main reason we chose Robsys.
Mehmet Emin Sallahoğlu – System Engineer
