A novel solar panel cleaning mechanism to improve performance and harvesting rainwater

Abstract

First generation Photovoltaic (PV) systems need regular washing to avoid efficiency degradation. Dust deposition on the surface limits solar penetration into photovoltaics and consequently the PV output. Efficiency may fall by 50% after a month without cleaning the modules. This effect strongly depends on the area, being desert climates more problematic because of the proliferation of dust particles and eventual high wind speeds. This research aims to illustrate the idea of an innovative intelligent device with wide applications and advantages, which improves the efficiency of solar cells by a self-cleaning mechanism, keeping the temperature of solar cells from rising, recycling the cleaning water, and harvesting rainwater falling. In this research, an experiment was performed in the city of Salt (Jordan) to investigate the purification of solar cells at the energy production plant above the Najashi Mosque. To clean the dust periodically, an automated cleaner was installed that detects the dust on the solar panel and automatically cleans the module. Various cleaning methods were compared: manual cleaning, automatic cleaning, manual injection water, compressed air. Some outstanding features of the new proposal are identified, making it the ideal device for resolving cleaning difficulties, high temperatures, and increasing solar cell performance. It can be also utilized to gather rainwater by employing the vast areas of solar cells scattered over the world. The findings of this study may help in preserving the environment by harvesting sun and rainwater, enhancing PV efficiency, and achieving decarbonization in the energy industry.