CN116348213A

CN116348213A - Cleaning method of solar cell panel

Info

Publication number: CN116348213A
Application number: CN202180072707.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 保罗·A·斯图尔特
Original assignee: Pascoe Investment Co ltd
Current assignee: Pascoe Investment Co ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-08
Filing date: 2021-09-01
Publication date: 2023-06-27
Also published as: AU2021338604A1; WO2022055768A1; CA3191720A1; JP2023540132A; MX2023002725A; EP4211794A1

Abstract

Methods of cleaning solar panels while reducing or eliminating the power output of the solar panels by snow, ice or dust accumulation on the solar panels. The cleaning method includes selecting a particular cleaning location on the solar panel array based primarily on the barrier location and the barrier size difference. The cleaning method further includes incrementally and sequentially selecting cleaning positions and incrementally and sequentially activating the cleaning device within the selected cleaning positions. The incrementally and sequentially activated cleaning device addition groups may be powered in whole or in part by the cleaned preceding solar panels.

Description

Cleaning method of solar cell panel

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present invention is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. Nos. 16/386,349 to month 4 and 17 and U.S. application Ser. No.17/014,588 to month 9 of 2020, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims priority to such applications.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to photovoltaic or solar panels, and in particular to a method of cleaning a panel.

Background

Converting sunlight into electrical energy, i.e., solar energy, remains a popular source of energy. The solar cell or panel array may include several or thousands of solar cells and panels that are disposed on or near a building or across a large piece of land. The performance of such solar cells and panel arrays may be significantly reduced by the reduced ability of the solar cells to receive sunlight due to snow, ice or dust.

If snow, ice or dust accumulates on the solar cells and panels, sunlight may be prevented from reaching the solar cells, thereby preventing the solar cells from generating electricity until the snow or ice melts or the dust is removed. In some areas, there may be days of sunny days after storm or ice storms, but the snow or ice on the solar cells may be variable or unequal throughout the array, rendering the snow or ice non-meltable in certain areas of the solar cell array, which may prevent those particular areas or the entire solar panel array from operating properly.

Some existing solar cell cleaning methods and apparatus use water to clean the solar panels. This method is not practical when snow and/or ice is present or for solar panels installed in deserts. Other methods use electrostatic fields to repel dust or create an air flow over the solar panel surface. While these and other existing solar cell cleaning methods and devices have been proposed, there remains a need for an improved method of cleaning solar cells and panels, particularly when snow, ice or dust accumulates on the array in a variable pattern or irregular amounts.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a solar panel and reducing power consumption during cleaning of snow, ice or dust on the solar panel. By using the methods of the present disclosure with larger solar panel arrays, power consumption may be reduced to a relatively small amount that may be provided in whole or in part by the cleaned solar panels.

The method of the present invention removes snow, ice or dust from a blocked solar panel by using a heated cleaning device, an electromagnetic/electrostatic cleaning device, or a combination device that provides both heating and electromagnetic/electrostatic output. The sensor determines when the solar panel array or individual blocks within the solar panel array are blocked to an unacceptable level, thereby preventing the panels in each array block from producing a normal electrical output.

For each block of the solar panel array, the position, size and type of the barrier is sensed and evaluated. One or more blocks of the array are then selected and a cleaning area is selected within the selected solar panel block. Multiple sets of cleaning devices are selected within the selected cleaning area and the selected cleaning devices are activated to remove snow, ice or dust.

According to the method of the invention, when the solar panels in the selected cleaning zone are blocked by snow, ice or dust, only a part (i.e. as little as one) of the cleaning devices from within the initially selected cleaning zone is activated. After the initially selected areas are cleaned, additional cleaning areas are sequentially incrementally selected and additional sets of cleaning devices are activated within the selected cleaning areas to clean selected areas of the array.

The method of the invention comprises the following steps: (a) Evaluating the blocks of the solar panel array to determine the location, size and type of the barrier; (b) Selecting one or more blocks of the array and selecting one or more cleaning areas within the selected blocks; (c) Selecting a group of solar panels within the cleaning area and activating a cleaning device associated with the selected group of solar panels; (d) Additional zones and cleaning areas are incrementally and sequentially selected and the cleaning devices within the additional cleaning areas are incrementally and sequentially selected and activated.

The incremental and sequential evaluation, selection and activation process continues until the entire solar panel array is cleaned. The cleaning device for progressively and sequentially selected blocks may be powered by the preceding solar panel that has been cleaned. Thus, the electrical energy generated by the cleaned solar panels is used, in whole or in part, to power the cleaning devices of the next set of selected solar panels to be cleaned.

The sensor is used to detect information including the position, size and type of the barrier on the solar panel. This and other information is evaluated by the controller before the intended first cleaning position is selected and before the subsequent cleaning position is selected. The controller evaluates the collected information to select a first block of the solar panel to be cleaned and to select a subsequent block of the solar panel to be cleaned. Selected blocks of the solar panel may be adjacent to each other or spaced apart from each other. To some extent, each cleaning region is selected based on a change in electrical output between individual blocks of the array. The number and location of cleaning devices to be activated within the selected cleaning zone is selected, in part, dependent upon the location and size of the barrier within the selected cleaning zone.

The assessment of the location, size and type of the barrier is aided by information about weather conditions, weather forecast and temperature.

The method disclosed herein, including the steps of incrementally and sequentially evaluating, selecting and activating cleaning devices, provides an effective and less costly barrier removal technique than known cleaning methods in which all cleaning devices are in an open or closed state. For example, if the barrier covers only a single area of the entire array, the method of the present invention provides a technique for activating only a relatively small number of selected cleaning devices in an incremental and sequential manner, thereby reducing the overall cost of barrier removal as compared to an on/off cleaning device array.

These and other aspects of the invention will be understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a solar panel.

Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of a solar panel set or block.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a solar panel array.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a solar panel with a cleaning apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a solar panel with a cleaning apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of a solar panel with a cleaning apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a controller connected to an alternative cleaning device.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus associated with a group or a block in a solar panel.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the method of the present invention are shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present invention provides a method for improving the performance of a photovoltaic (solar) cell. Fig. 1-3 illustrate a plurality of solar panels 50 and a representative panel support structure 60. As schematically shown in fig. 1, the solar panel 50 is placed in a desired position on the base 70. The solar panels 50 are adjustable so that they can be placed in a desired position relative to the sun. Further, as shown in fig. 2, the solar panels 50 may be arranged in one or more groups or blocks, wherein the groups or blocks may be connected together to form a solar panel array.

As schematically shown in fig. 3, the solar panels 50 may be electrically connected in series as a solar panel array. Typically, a solar panel array may comprise several or even thousands of photovoltaic cells located near or on a building or on a large different piece of land.

It is well known that the performance of individual solar panels, groups of solar panels, or arrays of solar panels may be degraded by snow, ice, or dust that reduces the ability of the solar cells to receive sunlight. Although cleaning devices for solar panels have been previously disclosed, there remains a need for an improved method for cleaning solar cells while minimizing the energy required to operate the cleaning device.

Referring to fig. 4, one embodiment of cleaning a solar panel is illustrated. In this embodiment, the cleaning device 80 includes a cleaning faceplate layer having a multi-functional electrode 82. The electrode 82 may be configured to include a plurality of elements that allow for a variety of functional operations. The electrode 82 may be activated to act as a heating element to melt snow or ice. Alternatively, the electrode 82 may be activated to create an electrostatic field that repels dust or dirt.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a self-cleaning apparatus 80. In this embodiment, the heating element 90 is mounted on a surface of the device 80 rather than embedded in the device 80. When sunlight is blocked due to the ice and snow reaching a certain blocking degree, the heating element 90 is activated to melt the ice and snow. Similarly, when sunlight is blocked to some extent due to dust or dirt, the electrodes 82 of the cleaning device 80 are activated, creating an electromagnetic field on the surface of the device 80 to remove the dust or dirt.

Another embodiment of a self-cleaning apparatus 80 is shown in fig. 6. In this embodiment, a heating element 90 is mounted between the apparatus 80 and the solar panel 50. When a certain water blocking due to ice and snow is reached, the heating element 90 is activated to melt the ice and snow. Alternatively, when an unacceptable level of blocking water due to dust or dirt is reached, electromagnetic or electrostatic waves are generated by the electrodes 82 in the device 80.

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the power consumption required for cleaning snow, ice or dust of a solar panel, which is described in more detail with reference to fig. 7 and 8.

Referring to fig. 7, a sensor 100 is connected to each solar panel 50 to determine when the solar panel is blocked by snow, ice or dust, resulting in a barrier that prevents the blocks or groups of panels from operating normally, i.e., to generate normal threshold levels of power.

Referring to fig. 2 and 8, solar panels 50 are arranged in groups or blocks in a solar panel array. The barriers on the array may be positioned in different patterns and positions, with each portion of the barrier having a different density or weight. Further, the barriers may comprise mutually spaced apart blocks, which are staggered or varied in number, present on separate solar panels or blocks of the array. Thus, it is not uncommon for individual blocks of an array or individual solar panels to be more affected by obstructions than other blocks of the array.

Sensor 100 detects information including barrier location, barrier size differences, and barrier type. The controller 110 receives the detected information from the sensor 100. The controller 110 also receives other information including weather conditions, weather predictions, and information regarding time, date, and temperature. The set of collected information is evaluated by the controller 110.

The controller 110 evaluates the information beginning with the barrier location, followed by the barrier size difference and the barrier type. As used herein, a blocker position refers to a position of a region or a block of an array having a blocker that reduces the normal operating output of the region or block to a level significantly lower than the normal operating output. The difference in size of the barriers, referred to herein as the difference in weight of the barriers in different areas or zones on the solar panel array. The barrier size differences also relate to differences in the electrical output of the barrier locations in different areas or regions. Finally, as used herein, the barrier type refers to snow, ice or dust.

If the information collection result evaluated by the controller 110 determines that snow or ice accumulation blocks some or all of the solar panels 50, the controller 110 generates a command signal to transmit to the ice and snow controller 130. The controller 130 activates the electrodes 82 or heating elements 90 for one or more selected areas or regions of the solar panel 50 for melting the snow or ice barrier from the selected panel 50.

If the information collection results processed by the controller 110 determine that dust or dirt has obstructed some or all of the solar panels 50, the controller 110 generates a command signal to send to the controller 120. As schematically shown in fig. 7, the controller 120 provides a multi-phase alternating current signal to the electrodes 82, the electrodes 82 generating an electromagnetic field to remove dust or dirt barriers from selected areas or regions of the solar panel.

As shown in fig. 8 and 4-6, the electrodes 82 or elements 90 may have any desired shape or size and they may be positioned at any desired location relative to the solar panel 50. For example, fig. 8 shows the electrode 82 in a position spaced apart from the photovoltaic module 150.

After sensing and evaluating the position, size, and type of barriers for each tile of the solar panel array 50, one or more tiles of the array are selected based primarily on the collected information about the barrier position and barrier size differences. A cleaning region is then selected within a selected area of the array. The selection of the cleaning area is based primarily on information about the position of the barrier and the difference in barrier size within the selected area. The cleaning apparatus is selected within the selected cleaning zone based primarily on the difference in barrier size within the selected cleaning zone. The selected cleaning device is then activated to remove snow, ice or dust. The present invention thus provides a method for determining the content, time and location of activation of the cleaning device within each selected block of the array.

According to the method of the present invention, an initial set of blocked solar panels is selected for cleaning. A cleaning device (82 or 90) for the initial solar panel set is powered by stored power to remove snow, ice or dust from selected solar panels. After cleaning the initially selected blocked solar panel, the power generated by the cleaned solar panel may be used, in whole or in part, to power the cleaning equipment of the next set of blocked solar panels selected for cleaning.

Only a portion, i.e. as few as one cleaning device, is activated in the initially selected cleaning zone. After the initially selected area is cleaned, additional cleaning areas are incrementally and sequentially selected and additional groups of cleaning devices are incrementally and sequentially activated to clean the additional cleaning areas.

After an initially selected set of blocked solar panels is cleaned, a new blocked set or block of solar panels is incrementally and sequentially selected and cleaned. As described, subsequently selected blocked solar panel sets or blocks may be cleaned in whole or in part using power generated by previously cleaned solar panel sets.

A method step as used herein, comprising: incrementally selecting a blocked solar panel and incrementally activating a cleaning device to clean the selected solar panel refers to: by using a stepwise method to select blocked solar panels and activating the cleaning devices associated with the selected solar panels, the number of solar panels being cleaned is continuously increased or increased. Further, method steps as used herein, comprising: sequentially selecting blocked solar panels and sequentially activating a cleaning device to clean the selected solar panels means: the blocked solar panels are selected and cleaned in a logical order based on the blocking object position and blocking object size.

The purpose of selecting the cleaning position is to make the cleaning process more efficient, as described herein. For example, if the barrier is diverse and covers a block spaced across the solar panel array, activating the cleaning devices in the most obstructed location is more efficient than activating all cleaning devices simultaneously. For this example, the barrier location as defined herein will be the primary factor for determining the initial and subsequent cleaning locations on the array.

Alternatively, the cleaning location may be the entire solar panel array if the barrier covers most or all of the solar panel array. In this example, the selection of cleaning regions based on the difference in barrier size as defined herein will be the primary factor in determining the initial and subsequent cleaning regions.

The method of the invention comprises the following steps: (a) Evaluating all of the tiles of the solar panel array to determine the location, size and type of the barrier as defined herein; (b) Selecting one or more tiles of the array based primarily on information including barrier location and barrier size differences; (c) Selecting a desired cleaning area within the selected array block based on information including a blocker position and a blocker size difference within the selected array block; (d) Selecting and activating cleaning devices within the selected cleaning zone based on the difference in barrier sizes within the selected cleaning zone; (e) Incrementing and sequentially selecting additional array blocks and cleaning areas, and incrementing and sequentially selecting and activating cleaning devices within the selected additional cleaning areas; (f) Electricity is generated with the cleaned solar panels, all or part of which is used to power the cleaning equipment of the next set of selected solar panels.

As described herein, the method of incrementally and sequentially evaluating, selecting, and activating continues until the entire solar panel array is cleaned. Selected blocks of the solar panel may be adjacent to each other or spaced apart from each other. Each cleaning zone is selected based on factors including variations in electrical output of individual blocks of the array. The number and location of cleaning devices selected to be activated within the selected cleaning zone is based on factors including differences in the size of the barriers within the selected cleaning zone.

The method disclosed herein, including the steps of incrementally and sequentially evaluating, selecting and activating cleaning devices, provides an efficient and cost-effective method of removing obstructions as compared to known cleaning methods in which all cleaning devices are turned on or off. The method steps of the present invention provide a cleaning process that selects specific areas of the array to be cleaned, and then selects and activates a relatively small number of cleaning devices in an incremental and sequential manner to clean the blocked areas of the selected solar cell panel array.

The method of the present invention reduces the overall cost of barrier removal compared to solar panel arrays where each solar panel has a cleaning device and all cleaning devices of the array are in an open or closed state. Furthermore, the present method does not require a cleaning device for each solar cell or solar panel. The disclosed method allows the cleaning apparatus to be configured in a variety of positioning arrangements of spaced patterns or other positioning arrangements that do not require a cleaning apparatus per solar cell or solar panel.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a barrier from a solar panel array operating surface that produces a normal threshold level of power output, the method arranging the solar panel array as blocks of solar panels and providing cleaning means for certain blocks of the solar panels to remove the barrier from those blocks of the solar panels:

sensing whether a barrier is present on all or part of the operating surface of the solar panel array;

determining when the barrier reduces the power output of the array or array block below a level of a normal threshold;

sensing and evaluating the zones of the solar panel to determine the barrier location, the barrier size difference, and the barrier type;

selecting one or more solar panel cleaning blocks based primarily on the blocker position and blocker size differences within the solar panel array;

selecting a desired cleaning region within the selected cleaning block based primarily on the blocker position and blocker size differences within the selected cleaning block;

selecting and activating a cleaning device at a selected cleaning location within the desired cleaning zone, based primarily on the difference in barrier size within the desired cleaning zone;

incrementally and sequentially selecting additional blocks of the array and incrementally and sequentially selecting additional cleaning areas and cleaning positions within the cleaning areas;

incrementally and sequentially selecting and activating cleaning devices within the otherwise selected cleaning zone and cleaning position; and

and generating electricity by using the cleaned solar panels, and supplying power to all or part of the cleaning equipment of the progressively and sequentially selected solar panels needing cleaning.

2. The method of removing obstructions from a solar panel array of claim 1, further comprising evaluating information about weather conditions, weather forecast, date, time, and temperature.