How solar lawnmowers work
Solar mowers are lawnmowers powered by solar energy, rather than by gasoline engines or conventional batteries. They are designed to be environmentally friendly, quiet and economical to run. There are two main types of solar lawnmower:
- Battery-powered solar mowers: These mowers are equipped with rechargeable batteries, which are charged using photovoltaic panels . The solar panels can be mounted directly on the mower or installed separately, as a dedicated recharging system. When the battery is charged, the mower operates in a similar way to a conventional battery-powered mower.
- Robotic solar mowers: These mowers are autonomous robots that automatically mow the lawn according to a set program or according to built-in sensors. They are usually fitted with solar panels to supplement battery recharging, enabling them to operate for long periods without the need for manual recharging. These mowers are also equipped with safety and navigation systems to avoid obstacles and safeguard the safety of people and animals.
The benefits of solar lawnmowers
Solar-powered lawnmowers offer several advantages over gas-powered and conventional electric lawnmowers:
- Environmentally friendly: Solar mowers emit no exhaust fumes and use renewable energy, helping to reduce carbon footprints and noise pollution.
- Energy savings: Solar mowers use free energy from the sun, reducing energy costs in the long term.
- Low maintenance: Solar mowers generally have fewer moving parts than gas-powered mowers, reducing maintenance requirements and the risk of mechanical breakdowns.
- Quiet operation: Solar mowers are generally quieter than gas-powered mowers, making them less disruptive to neighbors and pets.
However, solar mowers may be limited by the availability of solar energy and may not be suitable for all weather conditions or all types of terrain. In addition, they can have a higher initial cost than conventional mowers, although this can be offset by energy savings in the long term.
Solar mowers on the market
Solar mowers incorporating solar panels are still rare on the market. The solar models available are mainly robotic mowers with integrated solar panels to supplement battery charging. Here’s a notable model:
- Husqvarna Automower Solar Hybrid: As mentioned above, Husqvarna’s Automower Solar Hybrid is a robotic mower model that integrates a solar panel on top of the machine. The solar panel captures the sun’s energy to charge the mower’s lithium-ion battery. This mower can handle surfaces of up to 2,200 m², with a maximum incline of 35%.
- Vitirover is alsodeveloping an autonomous solar mower designed for agricultural applications, especially vineyards.
Other robotic mower manufacturers, such as Robomow and Ambrogio, offer models that can be fitted with solar panels, but these panels are not integrated directly on the mower. Instead, the solar panels are installed on the charging station to recharge the battery when the mower is parked.