WO2017203537A1

WO2017203537A1 - A solar panels cleaning device and method of cleaning the solar panels

Info

Publication number: WO2017203537A1
Application number: PCT/IN2017/050180
Authority: WO
Inventors: Naresh Kalidas DAMAR; Aditya Naresh DAMAR; Dhaval Naresh DAMAR
Original assignee: Frank Industrial Corporation
Priority date: 2016-05-27
Filing date: 2017-05-16
Publication date: 2017-11-30

Abstract

The present invention describes to a solar panels cleaning device (1) and method of cleaning the solar panels. The cleaning device (1) comprising a 5 supporting frame (3) attached through a T-joint (5) with a handle (2) placed in vertical direction made up of reusable hollow non-conductive unplasticized polyvinylchloride (UPVC) plastic pipe. The cleaning device (1) comprises smoothest spunlace non-woven fabric cuts (4) stitched on a base fabric (6) made up of polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric. Then, fabric cuts (4) 10 stitched on the base fabric (6) tied with cotton ropes (7) with supporting frame (3). The fabric cut (4) is made up of micro fiber fabric identically arranged in tubular shape. The cleaning device (1) is designed with unique shape for easy and speedy cleaning of dry dust without use of water and cleans the dust thoroughly without leaving any dust particle and any friction on the solar panel 15 glass.

Description

A SOLAR PANELS CLEANING DEVICE AND METHOD OF CLEANING THE SOLAR PANELS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a solar panels cleaning device and method of cleaning the solar panels. More particularly, the present invention discloses a dry cleaning device for dusting the surface of solar photovoltaic panels. Here, the dry dusting cleaning device is having smoothest spunlace non-woven fabric. The dry cleaning device is designed with unique shape for easy and speedy cleaning of dry dust of MW (Megawatt) solar power project without use of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Solar energy is radiant light and heat from the sun harnessed using a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photovoltaic, solar thermal energy, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis. It is an important source of renewable energy.

Solar panel is one of solar energy generating module. Solar panel refers to a panel designed to absorb the sun's rays for generating electricity or heating through the photovoltaic material. A photovoltaic module is a packaged, connected assembly of typically 6x 10 solar cells. The photovoltaic solar panel requires direct sunlight. But, due to pollution, traffic dust, leaves and even bird droppings contribute to preventing sunlight from reaching the solar cells in the solar panels. The more dirt - the lower amount of electricity they will produce. Experts agree that dirty solar panels don't produce as much power as clean panels. That loss may range as high as 25% in some areas. Hence, a dirty solar panel can reduce its power capabilities by up to 30 percent in high dust/pollen or desert areas. The more likely it will get dirty and need to be cleaned. Thus, cleaning is an important key aspect of solar panel maintenance. If the dust is more, frequent inspection is required to ensure that dirt, grime, bird droppings and debris do not block the sun from efficient absorption by the panels.

There are a few ways to clean the solar panels. The first (and easiest) way is to rinse of dust with a standard garden hose with water. If the panels seem to need a little more cleaning than the hose offers, a soft, spongy squeegee on a long pole (like the ones used to wash tall windows) can be used, along with some soapy water. Then use the hose to rinse off any excess suds. If the panels are too high, then it is difficult to reach without climbing up a ladder. There are also automated cleaners that work similar to sprinklers, which can be programmed to clean the solar panels as needed.

But, each approach has advantages and drawbacks. The present wet- cleaning process needs R.O. (Reverse Osmosis)/De-mineralize water to be used in huge quantity with pressure to wash the solar panel. In case if water availability is not feasible at plant site, then water transportation becomes difficult and become more expensive as the separate power output along with diesel/petrol mobile vehicle and pressure water pumping require for carrying water tank. Further, wet cleaning method is not practicable during day time as power generation process is on during sunlight as it is shock hazardous and also it can damage circuit by short circuits. Also in late evening, water can be applied only when the panel glass gets cooled down or the temperature of spreading water and panel nearly match. The cleaning of solar plant by water is lengthy, tedious and little impractical as one has to operate during night when proper lighting is lacking. Hence, special lighting focuses are required for proper cleaning and worker has to work in night shift duty. Generally, a single solar plant of 25-50 MW (Megawatt) is spread over on land of about 150-250 acres. It becomes difficult to reach the daily requirement of huge water quantity and its transportation to wash dust accumulation which occurs every 8-10 days time. So, wet cleaning is suitable only at those areas where dust deposition cycle is very slow say more than 30- 45 days. Further, the repeated vehicle up and down in plant itself generates the daily flying dust which settles on the solar panels situated near by the road. When in absence of processed water if other sources of water are used then, it will form the stains of water mark and drops on solar panel glasses due to salinity and mineral hardness exists in water. In case of water spreading on solar panel glass, in several cases the fine dust, fly ash etc. becomes stickier and make fine layer on the glass which requires additional process of brushing on glass to remove it thoroughly. In most of cases, the remaining water exists on panel after washing which requires wiping and cleaning device on the glass to avoid hazy water marks. The regular use of water will accumulate water in the ground which will become swampy. The excess water spread on the ground the ground field gives growth of grass, unwanted wild leafy vegetable etc. The grown green grass and leafy vegetable gives growths to micro flying germs, mosquitoes etc. and as consequence germs dirt will be accumulated on the solar panels, which requires proper cleaning to remove the stains.

The water cleaning is not practical and possible where water sources are not available. Most of the solar plants require installing in sunny and dry area where sun radiations are highest for optimum output. But, in dry areas accumulation of fine dust is also higher on solar panels due to airy atmosphere. Sometimes there exists shortage of surface and ground water due to low rain fall in those areas. As on today, the normal potable water in many countries is in scares and an average population is not even getting potable water, therefore this wet water cleaning is impractical and not-advisable.

Today many countries are facing an increasingly urgent situation to save surface rain water and ground water. Even in several areas the ground water has gone to very depth and the quantum of the water is not available and those areas are highly cultivated and populated. It again not advisable to use natural resources of water which is scare for cleaning process for generating electricity by using sunlight as one of the green energy resources. Hence, due to above all limitations the practical applicability of wet cleaning system for solar plant is expensive and non-viable.

The automated mechanical robotic system needs no water for cleaning of solar panels but its installation requires heavy investment at initial stage only. The investment made on automated mechanical robotic installations adds on the cost of overall project. And the overall increased cost will affect the ROI (return on investment) payback period which can be additional investment of about 3 years.

Further, the automated dry cleaning system requires lots of installation of fittings and supporting structure on the solar panel at all over the plant. For implementation of this system at Megawatt level projects, one has to cover overall installation of system over solar panels covering an area of about 150 to 250 or more acres depend on capacity of plant at a time.

And also, the complete workability of automated cleaning system require total installations, a small or partial investment will not cover the cleaning of total plant. The installation work involves skilled staff, various electronic, mechanical components and fittings which increase the cost. The installed capacity will be unutilised in monsoon and cloudy season when power generation is partial or negligible. The automated system requires separate working unit system for every small patch of tables. Therefore, the requirement of total numbers of cleaning units is huge. And the automated cleaning system limits employment opportunity for unskilled labour. For instance, 1702/CHE/2015 discloses a solar panel cleaning device for cleaning a solar panel. The solar panel is typically mounted on a mounting structure. Two fixed nozzles which are adapted to receive water from a normal tap water source and direct the water in direction of the solar panel.

CN102809278 discloses a wire belt self-cleaning rolling brush device of a solar panel drying oven, and the wire belt self-cleaning rolling brush device is arranged on the drying oven. Here, the drying oven comprises a wire belt driving unit and a wire belt. And the wire belt driving unit is connected with the wire belt. The wire belt self-cleaning rolling brush device is having a brush group, a collecting box and a chain unit.

WO2014001906 discloses a solar panel cleaning system for cleaning solar panels of a solar row. Here, the solar row having a length and a width, and an upper end and a lower end in the width direction of the solar row, the upper end is placed to a position higher than the lower end dry cleaning system. Here, the fins may be made of fabric.

US20100043851 discloses an automated cleaning system for cleaning solar panels having spraying nozzles that are disposed in a row of solar panels. This cleaning system do not comprise any means for wiping or brushing hard dust and dirt from the surface of the solar panels, and the cleaning of the solar panel is not that optimal.

WO2016017852 discloses a dry automatic dust removal apparatus for a multi-functional solar photovoltaic panel, which is capable of sucking and discharging dust using wind simultaneously with the rotation of brushes on the upper surface of the solar photovoltaic panel.

Hence, there is a tremendous need for a dry cleaning device having simple structure that can clean the fine dry dust without using water and save precious deionized and R.O. water. Also, a need arises of hassle free, safe, and economical dry cleaning process which may overcome all disadvantages of wet water cleaning and less costly compare to automatic robotic cleaning system.

OBJECT OF INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide a dry dust solar panels cleaning device having smoothest non-woven fabric for cleaning dust of the solar panels.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide the dry dust solar panels cleaning device with light weight textile fabric of micro fiber arranged in tubular shape to suit any width size of the solar panels of 500-1500 mm wide.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide the dry dust solar panels cleaning device designed with unique shape for easy, speedy and manual cleaning of dry dust of the solar panel without use of water and save precious de-ionized and R.O. water.

Still yet another object of the present invention is that cleaning process is done without need of electricity, battery backup or any other mechanical instrument installation of any mechanical parts in the solar park.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide the cleaning device and process that can be implemented practically at any solar plant site and very safe in handling during day time at early morning and late evening.

Yet another object of the invention to provide the dust cleaning method involves an easy, manually operated and systematic process of cleaning the accumulated dry dust deposited on the solar panel glasses.

Yet another object of the invention to provide the dust cleaning device for solar panels with very negligible coefficient of friction.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide dry dust cleaning process of the solar panels that is a feather-touch, smooth, smear-free, most efficient process that minimizes the risk of electrical shock hazard.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the handle and material that are non-conductive and strike safe for the glass of solar panel and the risk of module shading is minimum during the process.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide the fabric that is having optimum capacity to catch the finest dust from the solar panel glass surface and the dust holding capacity of the fabric do not loosen the held dust on the solar panel glass, and allow to clean the glass thoroughly.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the process of increasing dust holding capacity, catching and holding the fine dust for a continues repeated working with same fabric broom for more and more solar panels till it gets totally dusty.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the fabric module that has moving accessibility of 270 degree on the surface of solar panel glass to give better result. Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide cleaning device having fabric broom that is easily replaceable and handle is reusable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the cleaning device that is specifically designed and cut that gives smear free, smooth cleaning device for dry dust cleaning of the solar panel practically, handy and economically.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide cleaning device and process that minimize the daily utility of water where it is in scarce and use of water will be limited only for the excessive bird dropping, microbe dirt and moist dust only after continuous use of dry dust cleaning.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the cleaning device that is viable and practical for all the solar panels plants on ground as well for roof top installations and domestic solar power generation units also work conveniently and safe for medium scale roof top installations by minimising the use of water and its consequent risk.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide cleaning device and method that is most economical in comparison to all the other available cleaning methods for solar panels.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the cleaning device that can be implemented or started at any solar park without any initial installation cost and does not require any high skilled technology for implementation or any technically educated and skilled people for daily operations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a solar panels cleaning device and method of cleaning the solar panels. The dry dust cleaning device comprising a supporting frame attached through a T-joint with a handle placed in vertical direction made up of reusable hollow non- conductive unplasticized poly vinyl chloride (UPVC) plastic pipe. The cleaning device further comprises smoothest spunlace non-woven fabric cuts stitched on a base fabric made up of polypropylene spunbond non- woven fabric. Then, fabric cuts stitched on the base fabric tied with cotton ropes for proper fitting with the supporting frame. Here, the fabric cut is made up of micro fiber fabric trimmed, cut and identically arranged in tubular shape. The cleaning device is designed with unique shape for easy and speedy cleaning of dry dust without use of water and cleans the dust thoroughly without leaving any dust particle on the solar panel glass and operates smear free without any friction on the solar panel glass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the cleaning device for the dry dust cleaning of solar panel in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supporting frame with handle and connecting T-joint of the supporting frame with the handle.

Fig. 3 A shows stitching marks on the base fabric.

Fig. 3B shows stitched fabric cuts on the base fabric.

Fig. 4 shows the sectional side view of the cleaning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application and concentration, mentioned hereinafter a solar panels cleaning device (1) and method of cleaning solar panels without use of water. The nature of the invention is clearly described in the specification. The invention has various components and they are clearly described in the following pages of the complete specification.

The present invention concerns a solar panels cleaning device (1) and method of cleaning the solar panels. Fig. 1 shows the cleaning device (1) having smoothest spunlace non- woven fabric cuts (4), a supporting frame (3) and a handle (2). The fabric cuts (4) are of micro fiber trimmed and identically arranged in tubular shape to suit any width size of the solar panel of 500-1500 mm wide. The cleaning device (1) is designed for easy and speedy cleaning of dry dust without use of water and cleans the dust thoroughly without leaving any dust particle on solar panel glass and operates smooth, smear free without any friction on solar panel glass. Hence, the cleaning device can minimize the daily utility of water in scarce. Use of water will be limited only for the excessive bird dropping, microbe dirt and moist dust only after few months of continuous use of dry dust cleaning system.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the cleaning device (1) for cleaning dry dust on the solar panel comprises the supporting frame (3) that comprises a T-joint (5) to which a left supporting bar (3LSB) and a right supporting bar (3RSB) are attached to give horizontal end support to the cleaning device (1). The base of the T-joint (5) accommodates the handle (2) in vertical direction. The supporting frame (3), the T-joint (5) and the handle (2) are made up of hollow non- conductive unplasticized polyvinylchloride (UPVC) plastic pipe.

As shown in Fig.3 A, the fabric cuts (4) are stitched on the base fabric (6) made up of polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric with stitching marks (8) to utilize the total area covered by an individual stripe of cleaning device (1) and to give good tensile and strength. The base fabric (6) is of rectangular shape and distance between two stitching lines is at least 1.5 inches.

As directed in Fig. 3B, the cleaning device (1) comprises smoothest non- woven fabric cuts (4) covered over the supporting frame (3) of the cleaning device (1) having micro fiber which is trimmed in size ranges from 5- 12 inch length and the width size of the fabric cuts (4) ranges from 2.0-3.25 inches depend on the nature of dust load and panel cleaning requirements.

The fabric cuts (4) of the cleaning device (1) are designed with multiple cut stripes to optimum the surface area of the fabric to enhance the capacity to capture and hold fine dust from the surface of the solar panel glass. And also the dust holding capacity of the fabric cuts (4) do not get loosen with the use. Here, each single piece of cleaning device stripe has flat surface area ranges from 6 - 12 square inches. The material used for making fabric cuts (4) of cleaning device is either 100% polyester or 100% viscose/rayon or a blend of polyester and viscose fibres. The each stripe of fabric is having micro fibre on its surface, that helps to sweep out the major dry dust and wipes out the finest dust from the solar panel glass.

In that, in each bracket area of 3.6 inches of the base fabric (6), 18-20 number of the fabric cuts (4) are stitched. The fabric cuts (4) stitched with base fabric (6) is further tied with cotton ropes (7) for fitting with the support frame (3) to give horizontal shaped smooth fabric cleaning device (1). The cleaning device (1) mops/swings and sweeps the dry dust by covering full length of a vertical panel raw of solar panel when apply manually in North to South direction.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, sectional view of the cleaning device (1) is showing fabric cuts (4) stitched on the base fabric (6). The fabric cuts (4) stitched on the base fabric (6) is further tied on the supporting frame (3) to give compact horizontal cleaning device (1).

The dry dust cleaning process with the cleaning device (1) of the present invention cleans the dust very easily, faster and thoroughly without leaving any dust particle on the solar panel glass and operates smear free without any friction on the solar panel glass of MW (Mega Watt) solar plant with cleaning efficiency of an average 2500 - 3500 solar panels per day by a single labour in 8 working hours as per the geographical location and atmospheric conditions.

The dry cleaning device (1) provides benefits to continue repeated use of the same fabric cuts (4) broom for cleaning the solar panels till it gets totally dusty. When the fabric cuts (4) broom is become dusty, it can be cleaned by de-dusting with a wooden or plastic stick and when it is completely dusty, it can be washed with water and mild detergent. Further, the fabric cuts (4) of the cleaning device (1) is easily replaceable and handle (2) is reusable. Further, the cleaning device (1) has moving accessibility of 270 degree direction on the glass surface of solar panel to give better cleaning result.

While, the invention has been described with respect to the given embodiment, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

We Claim,

1. A solar panels cleaning device (1 ) comprising: a supporting frame (3) displaced parallel during cleaning the surface of solar panel defining to give horizontal left end and right end support through left support bar (3LSB) and right support bar (3RSB) to the cleaning device (1); a handle (2) attached to the supporting frame (3) in vertical direction through the base of T-joint (5) for displacing the cleaning device (1) against the surface of the solar panel during cleaning process; fabric cuts (4) stitched with the base fabric (6) for absorbing, holding and sweeping the dust from the surface of the solar panel; a base fabric (6) attached with the supporting frame (3) to give support and strength to the fabric cuts (4) of the cleaning device and allow to spread the fabric cuts (4) at 270 degree in tubular form.

2. The solar panels cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting frame (3), the T-joint (5) and the handle (2) are made up of hollow non-conductive unplasticized polyvinylchloride (UPVC) plastic pipe.

3. The solar panels cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric cuts(4) are made up of smoothest spunlace non-woven micro fiber fabric selected any one from blend of polyester and viscose fibers, 100% polyester or 100% viscose/rayon fiber.

4. The solar panels cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein fabric cuts (4) are trimmed and cut in size ranges from 5-12 inches in length and

2.0-3.25 inches in width depend on the nature of dust load and panel cleaning requirements.

5. The solar panels cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each bracket area of the base fabric (6) is having size of 3.6 inches.

6. The solar panels cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein 18-20 fabric cuts (4) are stitched on each bracket area of the base fabric (6).

7. The solar panels cleaning device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein fabric cuts (4) with base fabric (6) are tied on the support frame (3) with cotton ropes (7).

8. A process for cleaning the solar panels comprising: mopping, swinging and sweeping the dry dust by covering full length of the vertical panel raw of the solar panel manually in both North and South direction; de-dusting the cleaning device (1) with a wooden or plastic stick and when completely dusty, washing with water and mild detergent; wherein the cleaning device (1) has moving accessibility of 270 degree direction on the glass surface of solar panels.