JPWO2018154665A1 - Solar panel cleaning method and solar panel cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for cleaning an anhydrous and non-contact type solar panel (P) having a high cleaning ability and a high cleaning efficiency. According to a solar panel cleaning method of the present invention, compressed gas is injected onto a panel surface of a solar panel (P) to continue over the entire width of the solar panel (P) on the panel surface. By forming a shielding zone (S) and advancing the shielding zone (S) along the continuous direction of the solar panel (P), the cleaned area (P2) of the panel surface is shielded from the uncleaned area (P1) While cleaning, it is characterized. The solar panel cleaning device (1) of the present invention comprises a main body having a length corresponding to the width of the solar panel (P) in the inclination direction, a cleaning portion attached along the longitudinal direction of the main body, and the main body The cleaning unit sprays compressed gas toward the panel surface of the solar panel (P) in the forward direction of travel, and the solar panel travels on the panel surface by the traveling unit. (P) is characterized in that it can be cleaned.

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar panel cleaning method and a solar panel cleaning device used therefor.

Since solar panels relating to solar power generation are installed outdoors and are easily soiled, there are many techniques for cleaning the solar panels. Particularly in recent years, with the rapid spread of mega solar, how to efficiently clean a large number of solar panels has become an issue.
The cited reference 1 discloses a cleaning device that cleanses by spraying a cleaning liquid at a high pressure from the lower part of a traveling body self-propelled on the panel surface to the panel surface.
Patent Document 2 discloses a cleaning device which cleans a cleaning brush while moving a cleaning brush up and down along a horizontally movable guide rail on a panel surface. This cleaning device scrapes and cleans the dust on the panel surface while flushing the wash water from the water permeable brush.
Thus, most of the prior art is water cleaning technology.

JP 2014-240054 A Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2017-13017

The prior art has the following problems.
Since water droplets remain on the panel surface after the <1> cleaning, dust may adhere to the wet panel surface and be solidified, which may result in more severe contamination than before cleaning.
<2> During the cleaning operation, the natural wind or the wind accompanying the operation of the cleaning machine may wind up dust on the uncleaned panel surface and recontaminate the cleaned panel surface.
<3> The use of a large amount of washing water increases the construction cost and the load on the environment.
<4> In areas where water resources are limited, such as dry areas and mountain areas in the Middle East, washing water can not be secured and can not be used.
<5> There is a possibility that a small scratch (micro crack) may be formed on the panel surface by high-pressure jet of cleaning water or contact of a brush.
<6> Spraying a large amount of cleaning water causes water to infiltrate into the gap between the glass and the frame, causing a failure.
<7> Water marks remaining after washing are likely to remain on the panel surface due to evaporation of the washing water.
<8> Since the treatment of the waste water is required, the construction cost is increased.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a solar panel cleaning method and a solar panel cleaning apparatus which solve the problems of the prior art.

  In order to solve the above problems, the solar panel cleaning method of the present invention is continuous over the entire width of the solar panel on the panel surface by injecting compressed gas onto the panel surface of the solar panel. Forming a shielding zone, and advancing the shielding zone along the continuous direction of the solar panel to clean the cleaned area of the panel surface while shielding it from the uncleaned area.

  A solar panel cleaning device according to the present invention includes a main body having a length corresponding to the width of the solar panel in the inclination direction, a cleaning portion attached along the longitudinal direction of the main body, and a traveling portion attached to the main body The cleaning unit sprays compressed gas toward the panel surface of the solar panel in the forward direction of travel, and the traveling unit is configured to clean the solar panel while traveling on the panel surface. I assume.

  The solar panel cleaning apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body having a length corresponding to the width of the solar panel in the inclination direction, a cleaning portion attached along the longitudinal direction of the main body, and ground on the side of the solar panel. The cleaning unit sprays compressed gas toward the panel surface of the solar panel forward in the traveling direction, and the solar panel A solar panel can be cleaned while traveling on the side ground.

  In the solar panel cleaning device according to the present invention, the cleaning portions are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion, and the cleaning ranges of the adjacent cleaning portions at least partially overlap on the panel surface of the solar panel It may be

  In the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention, the cleaning unit includes a nozzle for injecting compressed gas, a swing hose connected to the nozzle, and a swing bar, one end of the swing bar is pivotally supported by the nozzle, and the other end By being pivotally supported by the main body portion, the nozzle may be configured to be capable of reciprocatingly oscillating to the left and right with respect to the direction of movement.

  In the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention, the nozzle may reciprocate and rock using a reaction force generated by the ejection of the compressed gas and a restoring force of the bending swing hose.

  In the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention, the main body has a front frame and a rear frame, the nozzle is configured to be removable from both the front frame and the rear frame, and the nozzle is a front frame The injection direction of the compressed air may be reversed between when the nozzle is attached to the rear frame and when the nozzle is attached to the rear frame.

The solar panel cleaning method and the solar panel cleaning apparatus of the present invention have at least one of the following effects according to the above configuration.
<1> Since cleaning of the whole surface of a solar panel is possible by one run, cleaning efficiency is good.
<2> Since the compressed gas is jetted from multiple directions while giving wavy kinetic energy, the impact on dust on the panel is large, and the cleaning ability is high.
<3> Because the cleaned area and the uncleaned area are separated while being shielded by the shielding zone, recontamination of the cleaned area does not occur.
<4> Since water is not used, there is no recontamination or water mark due to residual water.
<5> Since water is not used, construction cost is low, and even in places where water can not be procured, cleaning is possible. It is also environmentally friendly.
<6> There is no risk of failure due to flooding because water is not used.
<7> Because it is non-contact type, there is no fear of damaging the panel surface.
<8> Because the waste water treatment is unnecessary, the construction cost is low.

Explanatory drawing of the solar panel cleaning apparatus which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing of a cleaning part. Explanatory drawing of the solar panel cleaning method which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing of Example 2. FIG. Explanatory drawing of Example 3. FIG.

Hereinafter, the solar panel cleaning method and the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, for convenience of explanation, it describes in order of a solar panel cleaning apparatus and a solar panel cleaning method.
In the present specification, the "width" of a solar panel is the length in the direction of inclination from the lower side to the upper side of the solar panel, and the "length" of the solar panel is a length orthogonal to the width. And represents the length of the solar panel in the continuous direction.
"Dust" includes all substances deposited on the surface of a solar panel, such as dust, sand, dust, pollen, and ash fall of volcanic ash.

[Sunlight panel cleaning device]
<1> Overall configuration (FIG. 1).
The solar panel cleaning device 1 of the present invention is a device that cleans the panel surface in a noncontact manner by advancing in the continuous direction of the solar panel P while injecting compressed gas onto the panel surface of the solar panel P. .
In this embodiment, an apparatus for cleaning while advancing on the panel surface of the solar panel P will be described. An embodiment for suspending and cleaning from a traveling body 40 such as a backhoe will be described later.
The solar panel cleaning device 1 at least includes a main body portion 10, a plurality of cleaning portions 20 attached to the main body portion 10, and a plurality of traveling portions 30 attached to the main body portion 10.
At the time of cleaning work, the solar panel cleaning device 1 is connected by an air supplying means that supplies compressed gas to the cleaning unit 20 and a pressure feeding hose, but these are not shown in FIG.

<2> body part.
The main body portion 10 is a main structural member of the solar panel cleaning device 1.
In the present example, the main body 10 is made of an aluminum frame. In addition, you may employ | adopt not only this but another member and structure. Moreover, you may provide the resin-made covers etc. which coat | cover a frame.
The main body portion 10 can be provided with a pressure feed hose for pressure feeding compressed gas to the cleaning portion 20, a motor for supplying power to the traveling portion 30, a battery, and the like.
The length in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 corresponds to the width of the solar panel P. That is, even if the length of the main body 10 is equal to or greater than the entire width of the solar panel P or less than the entire width, the compressed gas which the cleaning portion 20 jets extends to the entire width of the solar panel P Do.

<3> Cleaning part (FIG. 2).
The cleaning unit 20 is a member that jets compressed gas onto the panel surface of the solar panel P.
In this example, a plurality of cleaning parts 20 are arranged in parallel from the lower part of the main body part 10 in the panel surface direction (that is, obliquely downward) of the solar panel P. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the cleaning unit 20 may be attached to the upper portion of the main body unit 10.
The intervals between the cleaning units 20 are set so that the cleaning ranges of adjacent cleaning units 20 partially overlap.
In the present embodiment, the cleaning unit 20 includes the nozzle 21, the swing hose 22, the swing bar 23, and the base 24.
The nozzle 21 is a member that jets compressed gas. The rear end of the nozzle 21 is connected to the swing hose 22, and jets compressed gas which is pressure-fed from the front end through the swing hose 22.
The swing hose 22 is a flexible hose having a function of pumping compressed gas and a function of urging the swing bar 23. In this example, a hose made of synthetic resin is employed.
The tip end of the swing hose 22 is connected to the nozzle 21 and the rear end extends to the outside through the inside of the base 24 and is connected to a pressure feed hose of air supply means described later.
The swing bar 23 is a rod-like member for swinging the nozzle 21 in the lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction.
The swing bar 23 is pivotally supported at one end by the nozzle 21 and at the other end by the base 24 by pivots perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
The base 24 is a base connected to the main body 10 and is fixed to the lower portion of the frame of the rear frame 12 of the main body 10.
The cleaning unit 20 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and an apparatus having a wide nozzle consisting of a plurality of parallel nozzle holes, an air knife having a slit nozzle, or the like may be employed.

<3.1> Swinging function of the cleaning unit (FIG. 2).
The swinging function of the cleaning unit 20 will be described.
The solar panel cleaning device 1 of the present invention is characterized in that the cleaning unit 20 cleans the nozzle 21 while swinging back and forth to the left and right with respect to the traveling direction.
In this example, the nozzle 21 is continuously oscillated back and forth by utilizing the reaction force generated by the ejection of the compressed gas and the restoring force of the bent swing hose 22.
The specific operation will be described with reference to FIG. Each direction in the description indicates the direction in which the cleaning unit 20 is viewed from the front.
(1) Both the nozzle 21 and the swing bar 23 face to the left by the injection immediately before. The swing hose 22 is bent from the center to the left and is bowed to the right (Fig. 2 (a)).
(2) The swing bar 23 swings to the right centering on the support shaft with the base 24 by the restoring force of the curved swing hose 22 and the reaction force of the compressed gas injected from the nozzle 21 (FIG. 2 (b)) .
(3) When the nozzle 21 swings to the right from the center of the swing range, the bending direction of the swing hose 22 is reversed, and the nozzle 21 connected to the tip of the swing hose 22 centers the pivot with the swing bar 23 Turn counterclockwise (Fig. 3 (c)).
(4) As the nozzle 21 rotates, the jet direction of the compressed gas rotates counterclockwise around the spindle of the nozzle 21.
(5) The nozzle 21 is autonomously reciprocated and oscillated by continuously repeating the above (2) to (4) alternately alternately to the left and right.
In addition, the means of the reciprocation rocking | fluctuation of the cleaning part 20 is not restricted above, For example, you may employ | adopt the structure of transmitting the driving force of the traveling part 30 mechanically to the cleaning part 20, and rock | fluctuating.

<4> running part.
The traveling unit 30 is a member for causing the solar panel cleaning device 1 to travel.
In this example, a plurality of rubber casters arranged in parallel in the front row and the lower portion of the rear row of the frame of the main body portion 10 are adopted as the running portion 30. The rubber casters in each row are interlocked by a shaft in communication with an axle.
The rubber caster is less likely to damage the panel surface of the solar panel P during traveling. Not limited to this, a rubber crawler or the like may be adopted.
The operating power of the traveling unit 30 is externally supplied via an electric cable. In addition to this, a battery may be mounted on the main body 10 and used.

<5> Insufflation means.
The air supply unit is a device that supplies the cleaning unit 20 with compressed gas. The air supply means is connected to the swing hose 22 of the cleaning unit 20 via a pressure feed hose.
In this example, a compressor that compresses external air taken in to generate compressed gas is adopted as the air supply means.

[How to clean solar panels] (Figure 3).
Subsequently, the solar panel cleaning method of the present invention will be described.
The solar panel cleaning method according to the present invention cleans by injecting compressed gas onto the panel surface to form a shielding zone over the entire width of the solar panel, and advancing the shielding zone along the continuous direction of the solar panel. How to

<1> Installation of solar panel cleaning device.
The solar panel cleaning device 1 is installed on the panel surface of the solar panel P with the jet direction of the cleaning unit 20 directed forward with the direction in which the longitudinal direction of the main body 10 is aligned with the width direction of the solar panel P .

<2> Operation of the cleaning unit.
The air supply means is operated to pump the compressed gas to the cleaning unit 20 through the pressure feed hose.
The cleaning unit 20 receiving the supply of the compressed gas jets the compressed gas from the nozzle 21 to the panel surface while swinging the nozzle 21 to the left and right.

<3> Cleaning of panel surface.
The compressed gas jetted from the nozzle 21 collides with the panel surface in front of the nozzle 21 and blows off the dust on the panel surface forward. Since the nozzle 21 swings to the left and right, dust in the fan-like range in the front is blown away radially.
Since the cleaning range of each cleaning portion 20 overlaps with the cleaning range of the adjacent cleaning portion 20, the uninterrupted shielding band S is formed over the entire width of the solar panel P on the panel surface.
The shielding zone S is a continuous formed continuously in the front lower portion of the main body 10 by the compressed gas jetted from the plurality of nozzles 21 toward the panel surface and the compressed gas which collides with the panel surface and is reflected. It is a band-shaped high-pressure space.
Every time it descends, dust that has been blown forward is repelled off by the shielding zone S and is gradually blown downward along the slope of the panel surface, and finally it is wiped off on the ground on the side of the solar panel P. It is dropped.

<3.1> Function of the cleaning unit.
The solar panel cleaning method according to the present invention can impart wavy kinetic energy to compressed gas by injecting the nozzle 21 of the cleaning unit 20 while swinging it at high speed to the left and right. In addition, by the swing and movement of the nozzle 21, it is possible to apply an impact to dust on one point of the panel surface from multiple directions.
For this reason, compared with the fixed jet in one direction, the impact on the dust is large, and the dust which is solidified on the panel surface by rain or the like can be peeled off and removed.

<3.2> Function of shielding zone.
The solar panel cleaning method of the present invention divides the panel surface of the solar panel P into the uncleaned area P1 and the cleaned area P2 by the shielding zone S and cuts both of them.
Even if dust on the uncleaned area P1 is blown to the cleaned area P2 side by the wind, the shielded zone S does not blow back this and does not cross the border, so there is no risk of the cleaned area P2 being recontaminated.

<4> Progress on the panel surface.
While the cleaning unit 20 is operated to form the shielding band S on the panel surface, the traveling unit 30 is driven to advance on the panel surface along the continuous direction of the solar panel P.
When the shielding zone S reaches the end of the panel surface, all the dust on the panel surface is removed, and the cleaning of the solar panel P is completed.

Features of the <5> solar panel cleaning method.
The solar panel cleaning method of the present invention is characterized in that the solar panel P is cleaned in an anhydrous and non-contact manner by the shielding zone S formed by the compressed gas.
With the progress of the shielding zone S, the dust is efficiently cleaned as if a huge brush wipes the dust on the panel surface horizontally, but unlike the brush, it does not contact the panel surface, so there is no risk of damaging the panel surface.
In addition, there is no need to use water, so there is no recontamination or water mark, and there is no need for water supply or drainage, so the construction cost is low and it is also environmentally friendly.

[Example equipped with a traveling body] (Figure 4)
In the first embodiment, the traveling unit 30 attached to the lower part of the main body unit 10 is configured to self-propelled on the solar panel P, but in the present embodiment, the traveling unit 40 such as heavy equipment Run on the ground and clean up.
In this example, a backhoe is adopted as the traveling body 40. By removing the bucket portion of the backhoe and connecting the arm to the upper portion of the main body 10, it is possible to make the solar panel cleaning device 1 using the power of the backhoe.
In addition, the traveling body 40 may employ | adopt not only a backhoe but another construction work vehicle etc.

[Example of removable cleaning unit] (Fig. 5)
In the first embodiment, since the cleaning unit 20 is fixed to the rear frame 12 of the main unit 10, for example, when the panel surface of the solar panel P is cleaned and then folded back and cleaned again, the solar panel cleaning device 1 is used as the main unit. It was necessary to lift the entire unit 10 and reverse the direction on the panel surface.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the cleaning unit 20 is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the main body unit 10 so that the ejection direction can be reversed and attached to both the front frame 11 and the rear frame 12. As the mounting and demounting structure to the main body portion 10, a known mounting and demounting structure can be adopted such as screwing with a screw, and engagement by insertion and fitting.
In this example, when the solar panel P is to be cleaned again, the cleaning unit 20 attached to the rear frame 12 is removed, and the jet direction is reversed so that the main unit 10 is not lifted by attaching to the front frame 11. The direction of cleaning can be easily switched.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 solar panel cleaning apparatus 10 main-body part 11 front frame 12 back frame 20 cleaning part 21 nozzle 22 swing hose 23 swing bar 24 base 30 driving part 40 driving body P solar panel P1 uncleaned area P2 cleaned area S shield zone

Claims (7)

How to clean solar panels,
By injecting compressed gas onto the panel surface of the solar panel, a continuous shielding zone is formed on the panel surface over the entire width of the solar panel, and the shielding zone is formed along the continuous direction of the solar panel It is characterized in that the cleaning is performed while shielding the cleaned area of the panel surface from the uncleaned area by advancing it.
How to clean solar panels. It is a solar panel cleaning apparatus used for the cleaning method of the solar panel of Claim 1, Comprising:
A body having a length corresponding to the width of the solar panel in the direction of inclination;
A cleaning unit attached along the longitudinal direction of the main body;
And a traveling unit attached to the main body,
The cleaning unit jets compressed gas toward the panel surface of the solar panel in the forward traveling direction,
The solar panel can be cleaned while traveling on the panel surface by the traveling unit.
Solar panel cleaning device. It is a solar panel cleaning apparatus used for the cleaning method of the solar panel of Claim 1, Comprising:
A body having a length corresponding to the width of the solar panel in the direction of inclination;
A cleaning unit attached along the longitudinal direction of the main body;
And a traveling body capable of suspending the main body above the panel surface from the ground on the side of the solar panel,
The cleaning unit jets compressed gas toward the panel surface of the solar panel in the forward traveling direction,
It is characterized in that the solar panel can be cleaned while traveling on the ground on the side of the solar panel by the traveling body.
Solar panel cleaning device.   The plurality of cleaning portions are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the main body portion, and the cleaning ranges of the plurality of adjacent cleaning portions at least partially overlap on the panel surface of the solar panel. The solar panel cleaning apparatus of claim 2 or 3.   The cleaning unit includes a nozzle for injecting compressed gas, a swing hose connected to the nozzle, and a swing bar, one end of the swing bar is pivotally supported by the nozzle, and the other end is pivoted to the main body The solar panel cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that by being supported, the nozzle is configured to be able to reciprocate and swing back and forth in the lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction.   The solar panel cleaning device according to claim 5, wherein the nozzle reciprocates and swings using a reaction force generated by the ejection of the compressed gas and a restoring force of the bending swinging hose.   The main body portion has a front frame and a rear frame, and the nozzle is configured to be removable with respect to both the front frame and the rear frame, and when the nozzle is attached to the front frame The solar panel cleaning device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the nozzle is attached to the rear frame, the jet direction of the compressed air is reversed.

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