Domestic solar panel cleaning system

Abstract

The performance of solar panels is greatly affected by their cleanliness, which directly impacts their ability to convert sunlight into electrical energy. Any obstruction that reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the solar panel surface can reduce its efficiency. However, maintaining clean solar panels can be challenging, especially for those installed on high roofs, which are difficult to access and clean regularly. The goal of this research is to develop a practical and affordable solution to keep solar panels clean and maintain their maximum performance. Previous studies have shown that an automated cleaning system is effective in maintaining cleanliness for large-scale installations that required significant labour hours when done manually (Bose & Modi, 2020; Engineering, 2023). Such industrial systems are not practical for domestic areas. Therefore, this project aims to design a reasonably priced solution that can cater to domestic areas and help individuals keep their solar panels as clean as possible without risking their safety by reaching for panels on high roofs. The research will focus on designing and building a robotic-based cleaning solution. The study will propose a practical solution that is cost-effective, easy to use, and accessible to homeowners to maintain clean solar panels.