Novel dry cleaning machine for photovoltaic and solar panels

Abstract

Accumulation of dust (also known as soiling) on the surface of solar panels decreases the amount of sunlight reaching the solar cells underneath and thus the efficiency of the solar panel is severely impacted. To harness their designed capacity to its fullest, they need to be cleaned periodically, usually with water. The Middle East region is a very suitable region for harvesting solar energy due to abundance of sunlight, but there is also a profusion of sand and dust. Due to water scarcity in this area, cleaning becomes difficult, challenging and subsequently costly. Here, a novel four-stage automated ‘dry cleaning’ method is reported for solar panels. The proposed cleaning process is carried out in four stages with no involvement of liquids. The cleaning process involves compressed air spray, followed by cleaning through a foam roller and a polywool synthetic duster. An electronically controlled mechanical assembly holds the rollers and guides them along the solar panels. A set of servo motors and a stepper motor is installed on the assembly to rotate and guide the cleaning structure. The system is very useful for small and large installations alike, especially in dry areas where there is little or no rain throughout the year.