IoT Controlled Solar Panel Cleaner
IoT Controlled Solar Panel Cleaner
Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
IoT Controlled Solar Panel Cleaner
Anna Baby1, Sarath Krishna C. S2., Ajay Antony3, Darsana Biju4 Sarang Soori S.5
Asst. Professor, Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology,
Kalady Ernakulam, India
Abstract—With growing costs of electricity and concern For damage and cleaning references, the camera records footage
for the environmental impact of fossil fuels, of the solar panels and sends it to the cloud[3].This paper
implementation of eco-friendly energy sources like solar presents a novel notion that, if used, might produce significantly
power are rising. The main method for harnessing solar better outcomes. This solar panel has a completely pre-
power is with arrays made up of photovoltaic(PV) programmed, removable exterior setup that can clean the panel
panels.Accumulation of dust over solar panel reduces surface with or without water. It contains a set of strong but
their efficiency in energy generation considerably and gentle nylon brushes to clean the panels, and two squeegees are
emphasizes the need to keep the panel’s Surface as clean located on either side of each brush to blot away any remaining
as possible. Current labour-based cleaning methods for water. The configuration may be employed as updated panels in
photovoltaic Arrays are costly,time consuming and lack solar power plants, private residences, and business settings. The
monitoring capabil-ities.This paper describes about an primary goal of this paper is to keep the solar panel surface free
IoT controlled solar panel cleaner that provides a cost of dust particles so that it can produce an even amount of
effective and scalable solution for the removal of soil and electricity throughout its working hours, i.e., the efficiency rate
dust.Water is used for cleaning the panel surface and a and output[4].According to the study, dust characteristics have
cooling system is also implemented. By this,efficency and an impact on how much power the solar panels produce. For the
output increases. purpose of simulating and illuminating the impact of dust on the
I-V and P-V characteristics of the solar module’s performance
Keywords:- Solar PV panel,Cleaning. parameters, a synthetic experiment was carried out[5]. In order
to maintain a PV module array, this study looked into a weekly
I. INTRODUCTION cleaning schedule from February through May. The findings
Today, both renewable and nonrenewable resources are showed a notable gradual loss of power, therefore frequent
used to produce energy. Power produced from renewable weekly water washing was necessary to sustain performance
resources is more natural and less damaging than electricity losses of between 2.5 and 2.7 percent. The ability to wash the
produced from non-renewable resources. Solar panels make surfaces of the modules with water makes them more reliable at
it possible to generate power using solar energy. The recovering power loss[6]. In this paper, we talk about a brand-
influences of the environment, such as dust collection, new ambient moisture-based PV module cleaning technology.
temperature changes, and humidity, ostentatously reduce the Similar to how solar stills work, clean water is collected from
effectiveness of solar panels.An effective method to increase the salt solution. To separate the pure water from the mixture, a
the overall efficiency of the solar PV panel is by cleaning pv glass pyramid is employed. It can be seen that the produced
panels. water has very low salinity and chloride levels and is of high
quality. For the purpose of cleaning PV modules, a prototype
II. LITERATURE SURVEY utilising this method of ambient water capture is created. On PV
modules, water is typically sprayed first, then wiped off by a
In this paper, the writers discuss the pressing issue of device that either uses electricity or is typically operated by a
clean solar energy. This study examined the choice of an human[7].This paper technique allows for vibration-free,
engine, an electric drive for it, and the software environment multiple-row cleaning while reusing water. By removing all
for an autonomous and dependable device for cleaning solar types of dust, the research aims to boost the efficiency of solar
panels. The findings are presented in this document. Solar panels. In the future, it may be offered as a permanent cleaning
panel cleaning systems’ primary benefits and drawbacks are robot coupled with a panel frame, a dust detection sensor, a
taken into account. The final design was for a system with temperature sensor, and a centrally networked video monitoring
low power usage and no provision for panel shading[1].This at the time of installation[8]. In order to address a pressing issue,
study’s goal was to investigate how dust buildup affects the such as the pollution of solar panels’ front surfaces, this article
efficiency of solar PV panels.To test the electrical output and explains the outcomes of developing new equipment. The
efficiency of solar panels, experiments were carried out authors have created an energy-efficient, dependable, and
utilising dust particles on solar panels with a constant-power autonomous cleaning approach that does not require panel
light source. According to the study, the effectiveness of a shading. In connection with the mentioned criteria, an automated
photovoltaic solar panel might be reduced by up to 50 system was developed with a quick payback period. The
percent by dust buildup on its surface[2].The autonomous designed cleaning tool for solar panels is described in the paper.
robotic cleaner plays a crucial role in cleaning the floating The use of such a gadget will reduce the amount of human
solar panels because human cleaning is virtually impossible involvement in PVP cleaning[9].This article examines the
in these situations. The robot is propelled by gear motors, a impact of various pollutants on the energy produced by solar
motor driver, and another motor that has a cleaning panels as well as promising locations for the construction of
membrane attached to it so that it can be washed with water. solar plants in Russia’s climatic and geographic conditions,
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Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
taking into account potential pollutants that could result in VI. MAJOR COMPONENTS
annual economic losses of up to 15 million rubles[10]. With
the help of a thorough, systematic literature review, an effort A. Block diagram
has been made to investigate novel and creative IoT The block diagram of IoT Controlled solar Panel cleaner is
applications in this paper research work[11].By automatically given below.
adjusting the equipment to get the most sunshine, this project
aids in electricity generation. Maximum light intensity is
what this technology is aiming for. This system automatically
changes its orientation in response to a decrease in light
intensity in order to obtain the brightest illumination possible.
Another goal of this technology is to minimise the need for
humans to rotate and clean solar panels[12].In this paper, a
flexible cleaning tool that travels the entire length of the solar
panel is designed. The method described can also be used to
monitor the amount of electricity produced by the solar cells,
and when cleaning instructions are needed, Internet of Things
(IOT) mobile applications can be used to activate them. The
outcomes showed that the solar panel’s performance could be
decreased by external resistance by up to 22 percent[13].
III. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
The impact of dust and high temperatures on a PV
panel’s surface can result in a decrease in overall efficiency Fig. 1: Block diagram of IoT controlled Solar Panel Cleaner.
and a reduction in total power production.
B. Components
IV. OBJECTIVES The main components used in IoT controlled Solar Panel
Cleaner are
The entire efficiency and output of a PV panel could be
Node MCU
increased by cleaning the surface of the panel.The PV panel
LCD driver
cleaning is done using water, which could help in cooling of
PV panel ,which can increase the efficiency and output given Pump
out. Reduction of the labour cost and the overuse of water for Rotor
cleaning pv panels can also be controlled ,as we use smidge Dual Motor drive IC
water. LCD display
Transistor BC547
V. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY Solar Panel
The cleaning unit oscillates back and forth on the Node MCU is a low cost open source IoT platform and it is
panel’s middle portion. The wiper positioned on the fixture a combination of Arduino and Wi-Fi.Water needed for cleaning
and tool unit moves back and forth in a reciprocating motion. is supplied by a pump. Solar energy is captured by photovoltaic
The wiper and cleaning unit travel along the centre panel panels, which use that energy to produce electricity. A motor
while spraying water droplets in the direction of the opposite controller breakout board called Dual H Bridge Motor Driver is
end of the panel. The dust is eventually forced to flow away frequently used to regulate the speed and direction of
near the edge of the panel in the direction of the cleaning motors.Dual Motor Drive IC (H-bridge) also controls up to two
unit’s activity. The water spraying stops until the cleaning motors simultaneously. A flat panel display known as an LCD
unit reaches the opposite end, and it then turns around and (Liquid Crystal Display) operates primarily on liquid crystals.
heads back. when it has arrived at the home position.The
duration of cleaning can be set using a timer circuit and also C. Flowchart
we can control the cleaner remotely by using IoT. The flowchart of IoT Controlled Solar Panel Cleaner is given
below.
IJISRT23APR978 www.ijisrt.com 1009
Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
VII. SIMULATION DIAGRAM
The simulation diagram of IoT controlled Solar Panel cleaner is given below.
Fig. 2: Flowchart
The first step is to declare if files, variables, I/O pins, Read values from web, get count, if the value matches move
functions and the initialise libraries, functions, I/O pins, L-R motor right.Load a delay.Then stop L-R motor. Move
default value and LCD serial port. Then display default up-down moor down. Load a delay.Then move L-R moor
contents in LCD.Print default values serially.Load initial left.Load a delay and decrement count.If the count¿0 then
values of O/P port and read values from web, get count. move L-R motor right again.If No,then stop movement.
Fig. 3: Simulation Diagram of IOT controlled solar panel cleaner.
VIII. CONCLUSION panels. Additionally, regular periodic cleaning makes sure
the solar panel operates consistently with good
The key results may be summed up as follows: dirt transmittance.
and bird droppings cause a hotspot in the panel, which can
lead to temporary failure. Dry cleaning can remove the REFERENCES
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Volume 8, Issue 4, April 2023 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
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