Automatic Solar Panel Cleaning System
The project "Design and Development of Automatic solar panel cleaning system" is capable of cleaning the surfaces of PV array by roller brush technique. The cleaning process is completed with the help of Arduino Uno(5V ), two DC gear motors operated at 12V and water pump. Arduino controls
2025-06-28 16:30:28 - Adil Khan
Automatic Solar Panel Cleaning System
Project Area of Specialization RoboticsProject SummaryThe project "Design and Development of Automatic solar panel cleaning system" is capable of cleaning the surfaces of PV array by roller brush technique. The cleaning process is completed with the help of Arduino Uno(5V ), two DC gear motors operated at 12V and water pump. Arduino controls two motors, one for the movement on the panel arrays (X-axis movement of roller brush mechanism) and second motor for the movement of brushes. The submersible water pump sprays water on the surface of PV panels. Both DC gear motors are drived by the L298N motor driver module operated at 12V. Two relay modules are also used for switching purpose. The cleaning process is scheduled according to the weather conditions in specified area. The scheduled for cleaning can be easily set in the Arduino coding. When the mechanism starts working then rollar brush moves on the PV panel's surface and keeps on cleaning the surface until the robot touches the limit switch connected at the edge on the panel's frame. Solar panel using in this project is of 150W and gives 87.5W in normal condition. Our project is capable of improving the efficiency of PV panel upto 17.5%.
Project ObjectivesThe objective of this project is to design an automatic solar panel cleaner which can easily move on the panel's surface and perform cleaning without providing any damage to the glass of the panel and also to improve the efficiency of PV panels.
Project Implementation MethodThe main brain of the project is Arduino UNO. The implementation method used in project is Roller brush method. L298N motor driver module to drive the motors and Arduino controls its speed and direction. We set the time for cleaning and depending upon that time the system starts working and brushes starts rotation on the surface of PV panels. We use limit switches at the edge of the PV panel frame. When the cleaning robot touches the limit switches it reverses the direction of motors through Arduino coding. When the robot returns to its original position from where it started then the system stops working as one cycle is completed.
Benefits of the ProjectFollowing are the benifits of the project.
It does not require man power for cleaning purpose.
It consumes less time for cleaning as compared to the manual cleaning.
It is cost effective as no labour is used.
It can be used on both industrial and commercial scale where large solar arrays are installed for power generation.
Doesn't provide any harm to solar panels and can perfom efficient cleaning to recover the efficiency of PV panels upto 17.5%.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableFollowing are the technical details of final deliverable.
Arduino UNO
L298n motor driver module
DC gear motors (12V)
Teflon Battery (12V)
Aluminium rods
PVC Pipe
Clearing Brushes
Iron Stands
Limit Swithces
LCD Display
Push Buttons
Resistors
Capacitors (220uF)
Ball Bearings
Thread rod
Robotic structure
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemType of Industry Energy Technologies Robotics, Clean TechSustainable Development Goals Affordable and Clean EnergyRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 71660 | |||
| Square Pipe (3/4 inch/ 20ft length) | Equipment | 3 | 2500 | 7500 |
| Round Pipe (8ft) | Equipment | 3 | 1000 | 3000 |
| Bearing 6200*3P | Equipment | 3 | 350 | 1050 |
| Bearing 6200* 4P | Equipment | 4 | 350 | 1400 |
| Bolt 21/2 4P with nuts | Equipment | 4 | 200 | 800 |
| Bolt 21/2 Thickness 10mm with nuts | Equipment | 2 | 200 | 400 |
| Wheel 4P | Equipment | 12 | 300 | 3600 |
| Washers | Equipment | 6 | 40 | 240 |
| Brushes | Equipment | 10 | 300 | 3000 |
| 2 Inch plates | Equipment | 2 | 500 | 1000 |
| Wood Screw | Equipment | 1 | 550 | 550 |
| DC motor 12V | Equipment | 2 | 5000 | 10000 |
| Car Wall 2P Teflon | Equipment | 1 | 3000 | 3000 |
| Bushes | Equipment | 8 | 800 | 6400 |
| Steel Rod 10mm | Equipment | 2 | 900 | 1800 |
| Water pump | Equipment | 1 | 1200 | 1200 |
| H- Bridge L298N | Equipment | 2 | 450 | 900 |
| Two Phase relay 1P | Equipment | 2 | 350 | 700 |
| Arduino Uno | Equipment | 1 | 850 | 850 |
| PCB | Equipment | 1 | 350 | 350 |
| Jumper wires | Equipment | 1 | 600 | 600 |
| Water Pipe | Equipment | 1 | 300 | 300 |
| Pipe Clip | Equipment | 4 | 300 | 1200 |
| Lead Screw 6ft | Equipment | 1 | 800 | 800 |
| Lead Screw nut | Equipment | 2 | 200 | 400 |
| Bearing Case | Equipment | 4 | 140 | 560 |
| Limit Switch | Equipment | 3 | 80 | 240 |
| Mechanical Frame | Equipment | 1 | 10000 | 10000 |
| Travelling | Miscellaneous | 1 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Report Printing | Miscellaneous | 5 | 500 | 2500 |
| Panaflex | Miscellaneous | 1 | 800 | 800 |
| Brouchers | Miscellaneous | 50 | 30 | 1500 |
| Capacitors | Equipment | 15 | 10 | 150 |
| Resistors | Equipment | 15 | 10 | 150 |
| LCD Display | Equipment | 2 | 360 | 720 |