Design of Wiper based Solar Panel Cleaning System

The efficiency of the solar PV module is greatly affected by the environment factors and one of the main factors is dust. In the tropical countries like India, the problem of dust accumulation on the solar panels is severe. The power outputs of the PV modules are reduced by 50-60 % in a month in some areas of India because of the dust. So, in order to reduce the loss of efficiency by the dust accumulation, the model of solar panel cleaning system has been proposed. This system consists of two wipers, each arranged at the diagonally opposite corners of the panel, driven by a DC motor through a mechanism. By cleaning the panels using this system daily or weekly, depending upon the rate of dust accumulation, the power loss due to dust can be controlled and kept within 5 to 10 % of the output power. This cleaning system is an economical solution to the problem of soiling so, use of this panel cleaning system with the PV panels would reduce the overall payback period of the solar PV system in the areas where the soiling losses are high.