AU2021105551A4 - An Automated Cleaning System of the Solar PV Panel - Google Patents
An Automated Cleaning System of the Solar PV Panel Download PDFInfo
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- AU2021105551A4 AU2021105551A4 AU2021105551A AU2021105551A AU2021105551A4 AU 2021105551 A4 AU2021105551 A4 AU 2021105551A4 AU 2021105551 A AU2021105551 A AU 2021105551A AU 2021105551 A AU2021105551 A AU 2021105551A AU 2021105551 A4 AU2021105551 A4 AU 2021105551A4
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- cleaning system
- polyethylene sheet
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- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 43
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 abstract description 7
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 9
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003574 free electron Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 2
- MARUHZGHZWCEQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 5-phenyl-2h-tetrazole Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1C1=NNN=N1 MARUHZGHZWCEQU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N AsGa Chemical compound [As]#[Ga] JBRZTFJDHDCESZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001218 Gallium arsenide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002800 charge carrier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008029 eradication Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000037805 labour Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010248 power generation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
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- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Abstract
AN AUTOMATED CLEANING SYSTEM OF THE SOLAR PV PANEL
Abstract:
The solar Photovoltaic (PV) modules are generally employed in outdoor environment, which leads to the problem
of soiling. When the dust particles accumulates on the solar panels, it decreases the efficiency of solar panel in
terms of power output. As the dust collected on the panels blocks the solar cells from the sun's rays and act as a
screening effect and hence it will decrease the performance of the solar cells. To overcome this problem of soiling,
a new automatic cleaning system is designed in the present invention, which uses a transparent polyethylene
sheet, a plurality of sensors, a smart unit comprising of microprocessor which compares the power output from
time to time and monitors the efficiency of the panel then change the transparent polyethylene sheet automatically,
thereby cleaning the solar PV panels automatically.
Electdcal
Battery
Software
system
gear system
DC motor
Figure: Block diagram of the Automated Cleaning System.
Dr. Mohd Tariq Miss Alina Naaz Mr. Mohd Azam Dr. Mohamed I. Mosaad Dr. Mansour Aijohani
AN AUTOMATED CLEANING SYSTEM OF THE SOLAR PV PANEL
Drawings:
S3
S2
S1
008
:= 002
001
005
003
006< 304
007
Figure 1: A representation of the fixed solar PV panel cleaning system
Description
Drawings:
S3 S2 S1 008
:= 002
001
005 003
006< 304 007
Figure 1: A representation of the fixed solar PV panel cleaning system
2021105551
[0001] This present invention is about automated solar PV panel cleaning system without brushes, water or any kind of slider. This invention is a new way to eradicate soiling problem.
[0002] The solar Photovoltaic (PV) modules are generally employed in outdoor environment, which leads to the problem of soiling. Soiling is the collection of dust or dust particles on solar panels that causes a decrease in optical efficiencies of the whole system.
[0003] Thus, the solar engineers/researchers started developing mechanisms for cleaning solar panels. With the passage of time many inventions have taken place for cleaning the solar panels which also includes the automated means of cleaning. The main aim of shifting from manual to automatic cleaning of solar panels is the eradication of the problem of miss happenings with the personnel/workers at the time of cleaning the panels located on tall buildings. However, till date, the automated cleaning of the solar panel is done by either automatic brushes, automatic water jet system, robotic system etc. Some of the drawbacks of present methods of cleaning are as follows: • Approx. 90% of the solar installations are cleaned manually due to the less penetration of the of
automated system technology amongst the masses. Manual method is labors dependent, time consuming and not as efficient as automated cleaning. Further, manual method of cleaning poses risk/have safety issues to the workers doing the cleaning procedure, especially for the solar panels installed on the roof top of taller buildings. • Automatic robotic systems (i.e. cleaning done by robots) are of high cost and practically
unsuitable for small solar power plants. • Automatic washing systems (i.e. cleaning the panels using automatic water jet) are non-standard
for solar panel cleaning as there are electrical wires in the vicinity of the panels. Further, it also
involves water wastage.
[0004] To mitigate the above drawbacks, a new automatic cleaning system is designed in the present invention, which uses a transparent polyethylene sheet, a plurality of sensors and a smart unit comprising of microprocessor which checks the efficiency of power output and then change the transparent polyethylene sheet automatically, thereby cleaning the solar PV panels automatically.
[0005] Power generation from renewable sources has grown drastically in recent years, due to the increasing energy demand as well as the environmental and economic concerns with fossil fuels. Solar energy is one of the main source of energy. To take advantages of solar energy, the variety of
M_. RA-.L.JT....:.. A 1: __ l:.-. - RA-... RAn. L.J.... --- M AnL.-. I RA----....4 M_. RA----.- A:i. _ technologies is used to convert solar energy to heat and electricity. For generation of electricity, the solar photovoltaic (solar PV) system is used.
[0006] Solar Cell or Photovoltaic (PV) cell is a device that is made up of semiconductor materials such as silicon, gallium arsenide and cadmium telluride, etc. that converts sunlight directly into electricity. When solar cells absorb sunlight, free electrons and holes are created at positive/negative junctions. If the positive and negative junctions of solar cell are connected to DC electrical equipment, current is delivered to operate the electrical equipment.
[0007] When sunlight strikes solar cell surface, the cell creates charge carrier as electrons and holes. The internal field produced by junction separates some of positive charges (holes) from negative charges (electrons). Holes are swept into positive or p-layer and electrons are swept into negative or n-layer. When a circuit is made, free electrons have to pass through the load to recombine with positive holes; current can be produced from the cells under illumination.
[00081 When the dust particles accumulates on the solar panels, it decreases the efficiency of solar panel in terms of power output. As the dust collected on the panels blocks the solar cells from the sun's rays and act as a screening effect and hence it will decrease the performance of the solar cells.
[00091 To get rid of the soiling problem, different ways were adopted such as manually cleaning the solar panels with the help of soapy water and brush and also the automated washing systems were used for cleaning which causes a lot of water wastage.
[0010] The proposed/invented automated system which consists of polyethylene rolls, polyethylene roll holder, polyethylene roll collector, plurality of sensors, microprocessor, battery system, motoring mechanisms (electrical machine and its drive), IoT devices and its integration with the mobile/PC interface. The invented system is implemented using microprocessor which compares the power output from time to time and monitors the efficiency of the panel, and on determining the efficiency to be lesser that the predefined limit it sends the signal to the motor drive (in this case, a dc motor drive) to drive the motor (in this case, a dc motor), which in turn start rolling the transparent polyethylene sheet from polyethylene roll holder towards the polyethylene roll collector, thereby replacing the soiled transparent polyethylene sheet covering on the solar panels. The new polyethylene cover (sheet) will be free from dust/soil. For cleaning the PV modules, a mechanism of a polyethylene roll has been developed. This technology can be used for both kind of solar panel system i.e. movable or fixed one.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: • [0011] Figure 1 shows the fixed solar PV panel cleaning system • [0012] Figure 2 is a drawing of cylindrical holder. • [0013] Figure 3 is a drawing of rod over which the transparent polyethylene sheet rolls up. • [0014] Figure 4 shows the flow chart of the program. • [0015] Figure 5 shows the cleaning mechanism for the moveable solar PV panel. • [0016] Figure 6 gives the drawing of holder. • [0017] Figure 7 gives the drawing of collector. • [0018] Figure 8 shows the block diagram of the present invention.
M-. RA-.L.-T..L miA:...Al:--.... - R A-... RA-. n L. . ... A--- M- RA L........J I RA--...... M-. RA----.-Ai-- :
[0019] Figure 1 shows the fixed solar PV panel cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The solar panel 005 cleaning mechanism includes the frame 003 which is having a polyethylene roll 008 inside an artfully designed holder 002, which is provided with an opening 001. The collector 007 as shown in Figure 1, having a rod 006 and rotation box 004. The three sensors named S, S2 and S3 as shown in Figure 1, whose function is to detect whether there is any deformity in the transparent polyethylene sheet which is enfolded over the panels. Beside, these three sensors, plurality of other sensors were also used to determine the weather, temperature etc. The holder 009 is in cylindrical form as shown in Figure 2, having an opening 010 for the transparent polyethylene sheet 011. The holder 009 can be designed as per convenience of any length and diameter according to the dimensions of solar PV panel 005 and polyethylene roll 008 respectively. In this holder 009, we place the roll and pulled out the extreme of the roll and fitted it to the collector 007. The collector 012 as shown in Figure 3 is having a rod 014, whereas the rod is having the slit in it, in which we insert the extreme of the roll and then clamped the extreme of the roll with the help of screws. Rotation box 013 being, a part of collector, have dc motor inside it, coupled with rod via belt. The rod is the main part of collector over which the transparent polyethylene sheet 015 rolls up. In the whole process, it is made sure that the sheet properly covers the solar PV panel 005. As the soiling start taking place over the sheet, the efficiency of the solar panel starts decreasing. At this instance, the smart unit of the invention starts the work. The data of voltage and current, hence the power output of the panel is continuously monitored in the smart unit. The smart unit consists of microprocessor unit that make the decision of cleaning the solar panel. In the smart unit, microprocessor are being used (single board computer Raspberry Pi).
[0020] The program compares the value of voltage or current with the predefined one (which is already stored in the microcontroller), the flow chart for the same is shown in Figure 4. For example, consider case-1, at a set of time (e.g. at 12:00 noon), when the sun is almost on its peak and if the value of voltage and current goes below the predefined value (which is stored for at the same particular irradiance and temperature), it means the decrease in the power output is due to the soiling of the transparent polyethylene sheet on the solar panels. Thus, the microprocessor sends the signal to the motor drive to start the dc motor. The motor shaft is coupled with the rod of the collector via belt. When motor starts as it get the signal from the microcontroller the transparent polyethylene sheet start rolling up over the rod of the collector 006. According to the length of the panel the number of rotation are set, so that the whole transparent polyethylene sheet get replaced from new clean one. For best accuracy we use a weather based sensors to sense the weather (to check irradiance level and temperature) and based on the output from the sensor, the microprocessor can find out that sky is clear (no cloud) or not. Hence, the confusion regarding the decrease in the power output due to weather changes and due to soiling can easily be avoided with the weather based sensors. Further, since the plurality of sensors are IoT based, hence the soiling conditions of the panel can be monitored live from their mobile/computer with internet connectivity and also control cleaning system with their mobile/computer with internet connectivity.
[0021] Figure 5 shows the cleaning mechanism for the moveable solar PV panel 017. In this, the holder 018 and the opening 016 are shown. The holder is affixed with the solar PV panel 017 via connector 020.
nM- itn.L.JT .. RA:--. Al:--.. KI..-.- RA-. RA-.. A---.. fl RAn.L........J I RAfl......4 M- RA--..- . --
The collector unit 022 with rod 021 and rotation box 023 are labelled. Both the holder 018 and the collector 022 are not the part of the frame. Rather they are separate units which are clamped to the solar panel 017 via screws. The transparent polyethylene sheet 019 covering the solar panel 017 is shown here. As shown in Figure 5, the three sensors S4, S5 and S6 have been used just like the sensors S1,S2 and S3 ( in Figure 1) which gives the information regarding the condition of polyethylene roll covered on the solar panels. Figure 6 gives the drawing of holder 025. It is same as in the case of fixed one, the shape is cylindrical. The roll is placed in the holder and extreme of the roll is pulled out from opening 024. It is provided with connectors 026. The holder is affixed to the solar panel via connector 026 with the help of screws and bolts.
[00221 Figure 7 gives the drawing of collector 029 which is affixed to the other end of the solar panel with the connectors 027. The rod 028 is provided with slit, so that the transparent polyethylene sheet can be easily inserted in it. The rotation box 030 has the dc motor in it, which is driving the collector with the help of motor drive which in turn is working with the signal from the microprocessor as explained before. The block diagram is also provided to give a quick look of the whole invention shown in Figure 8.
[0023] Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments as shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
M-. RA-.L.-T..L RA:--..Al:--.. am.... -n. - A L.J.... --- M AnL.--..... I RAfl......4 M-. RA----.- -i-- :
Claims (5)
1. An automated cleaning mechanism for the solar PV panel comprising: solar PV panel 005, solar PV panel frame 003 having a polyethylene roll 008 inside an artfully designed holder 002, which is provided with an opening 001; the collector 007 as shown in Figure 1, having a rod 006 and rotation box 004; a plurality of IoT based sensors for detecting the deformity of the transparent polyethylene sheet covering on the solar PV panel, for weather and temperature determinations; and a smart unit consisting of a programmable microprocessors, voltage and current measurement devices; and a motor-drive system for driving the polyethylene roll collector.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solar panel frame includes the holder 009 which is in cylindrical form as shown in Figure 2, which is used to place the polyethylene roll, having an opening 010 for the transparent polyethylene sheet 011. The holder 009 can be designed as per convenience of any length and diameter according to the dimensions of solar PV panel and polyethylene roll respectively. It also includes the collector, on the other side of the frame, for clamping the extreme of the roll.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, includes the microprocessor, for all the automated work, including comparing and initializing the motor drive and also includes the features of monitoring the soiling conditions of the panel live from their mobile/computer with internet connectivity and also control cleaning system with their mobile/computer with internet connectivity.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, includes the motor-drive system (can be a DC motor drive as well as can be AC motor drive system) for rotating the collector, which leads to rolling of the transparent polyethylene sheet onto the collector and resulting in replacement of the soiled transparent polyethylene sheet over the solar panel. It (automated cleaning system) can be used for fixed solar PV panel, moveable solar PV panel, single-axis rotation based solar PV panel, dual-axis rotation based solar PV panel, or any other types of solar PV panel, or their combination.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, includes the plurality of sensors named S, S2 and S3 as shown in Figure 1, which is used to detect the deformity in the transparent polyethylene sheet which is enfolded over the panels. Beside, these three sensors, plurality of other sensors were also used to determine the weather conditions.
M_. RA-.L.JT.... RA:....A1:__. am.... -n. - A L.J ...4 A-- M AnL.--....4 n.... I~ . J MAn----.- A:i. _
AN AUTOMATED CLEANING SYSTEM OF THE SOLAR PV PANEL 16 Aug 2021
Drawings: 2021105551
Figure 1: A representation of the fixed solar PV panel cleaning system
Dr. Mohd Tariq Miss Alina Naaz Mr. Mohd Azam Dr. Mohamed I. Mosaad Dr. Mansour Aljohani
Figure 2: A drawing of cylindrical holder.
Figure 3: A drawing of rod over which the transparent polyethylene sheet rolls up.
Dr. Mohd Tariq Miss Alina Naaz Mr. Mohd Azam Dr. Mohamed I. Mosaad Dr. Mansour Aljohani
Figure 4: The flow chart of the program
Dr. Mohd Tariq Miss Alina Naaz Mr. Mohd Azam Dr. Mohamed I. Mosaad Dr. Mansour Aljohani
Figure 5: A representation of the cleaning mechanism for the moveable solar PV panel.
Dr. Mohd Tariq Miss Alina Naaz Mr. Mohd Azam Dr. Mohamed I. Mosaad Dr. Mansour Aljohani
Figure 6: The drawing of holder.
Figure 7: The drawing of rod.
Dr. Mohd Tariq Miss Alina Naaz Mr. Mohd Azam Dr. Mohamed I. Mosaad Dr. Mansour Aljohani
Figure 8: The block diagram of the invention.
Dr. Mohd Tariq Miss Alina Naaz Mr. Mohd Azam Dr. Mohamed I. Mosaad Dr. Mansour Aljohani
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN202111033372 | 2021-07-25 | ||
| IN202111033372 | 2021-07-25 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2021105551A4 true AU2021105551A4 (en) | 2021-11-25 |
Family
ID=78610499
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2021105551A Ceased AU2021105551A4 (en) | 2021-07-25 | 2021-08-16 | An Automated Cleaning System of the Solar PV Panel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2021105551A4 (en) |
-
2021
- 2021-08-16 AU AU2021105551A patent/AU2021105551A4/en not_active Ceased
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGI | Letters patent sealed or granted (innovation patent) | ||
| MK22 | Patent ceased section 143a(d), or expired - non payment of renewal fee or expiry |