Conceptual Design of Automatic Solar Panel Cleaning Technique for Efficiency Improvements of Solar System

Since the last decade, the use of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels for power generation has been increasing in rural as well as urban areas in India. Most of these PV panels are susceptible to dust accumulation. Dust accumulation along with other factors drastically reduces the efficiency of output of energy from PV panels. The main purpose of this study is to design a semi-automatic cleaning of PV panels to improve its efficiency. For the study, a mid-range PV panel commonly utilized in commercial as well as domestic has been selected for the project. The conceptual design of the cleaning system was initially idealized and further developed a CAD model with the help of Creo software and Solid Work software. In the proposed system, a rechargeable battery, servo motor, roller, and pulleys are used for cleaning the solar panel. This system helps to clean the dust regularly which results in enhancing the PV panels’ overall effectiveness. This system also reduces human interference in the cleaning process. The battery used in this system so there is no extra power source is required because the solar panel instantly recharges the device.