Scientists in Morocco have developed a new solar panel cleaning system designed to remove dust and bird droppings. Their prototype was built for a total cost of $386 and is ready to integrate AI features in the future.
A research group in Morocco has developed a new solar panel cleaning system that uses transparent roll film technology to efficiently remove dust and bird droppings.
The system, which has already been patented, represents a step forward in automating the maintenance of solar panels. The team plans to integrate monitoring systems and artificial intelligence (AI) in future versions to enable predictive cleaning and maintenance.
“Future research directions include applying machine learning to optimize cleaning programs based on environmental conditions, adopting a digital twin approach for predictive maintenance, and integrating performance improvement features,” the researchers said. “Machine learning algorithms will optimize cleaning schedules, while the digital twin approach will improve predictive maintenance capabilities.”
At the heart of the design is a transparent, flexible film that allows more than 95% light transmission and can withstand temperatures up to 93 C. In the prototype, the film measured 50 x 200 cm, was 2 mm thick and weighed 1.4 kg. The film moves continuously over the panel surface, driven by two shafts, to remove dust and dirt. A spiral brush at the bottom maintains contact with the film and applies constant pressure during cleaning.
The researchers designed the system so that it can be seamlessly integrated with existing PV mounting structures. In their experiments, they tested it on a 48cm x 35cm x 1.7cm polycrystalline PV panel, which delivered a maximum output power of 17.2V and 1.17A under standard test conditions. The panel open-circuit voltage was 21.2 V and short-circuit current 1.28 A, with an operating temperature range between 40 C and 85 C.
For the controls, the team used an STM32F429 board, chosen for its balance of processing power, integrated peripherals and cost-effectiveness in harsh environments. The board activates the motors autonomously for 20 seconds every morning based on the humidity and solar radiation level. The film motor rotates slowly at one revolutions per second for thorough cleaning, while the brush motor rotates faster at six revolutions per second.
The prototype cost a total of $386 to build, with electrical components accounting for approximately 75% of the total. The current and voltage sensors cost $70 each, and a DC-DC converter costs $122.30. The remaining 25% related to mechanical parts, including metal rods and PV panels. The team estimates that the electronic components will last 8 to 12 years in dry operating conditions.
“The proposed transparent roll film cleaning system was compared with existing PV cleaning technologies to evaluate its benefits and limitations,” the researchers concluded. “The analysis shows that the system is more cost-effective than current methods, especially in dry climates.”
The system was presented in “A new solar panel cleaning system for improved efficiency”, published in Unconventional resources. Researchers from the Moroccan Green Energy Park Research Platform, the Applied Chemistry and Engineering Research Center of Excellence and the Laboratoire des Sciences Appliquées et Technologies Innovante participated in the study.
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