A Self-Powered Solar Panel Automated Cleaning System: Design and Testing Analysis

Abstract

Accumulation of dusty elements on the surface of the solar photovoltaic (SPV) panel decreases its performance significantly. In this regard, this work presents the design and experimental analysis of a novel self-powered solar panel cleaning mechanism system to clean the SPV panel. The cleaning system is powered by two small SPV panels with rechargeable batteries and does not need power from the solar panel which is to be cleaned. The experimental model is based on three DC motors which are intelligently controlled by dedicated driver units that move a cleaning brush on the solar panel in a dual-axis moving a frame. This work is carried out by the help of the Arduino Uno microcontroller board which effortlessly controls all the connected devices. The experimental results clearly show that there is a substantial increase in the efficiency of the SPV panel. Moreover, the proposed work has been carried out by considering the following aspects: (i) efficacy of anti-soiling (ii) frequency of cleaning and (iii) energy saving (observation on daily, weekly and monthly basis).