Portable robot for cleaning photovoltaic system: Ensuring consistent and optimal year-round photovoltaic panel performance

With growing costs of electricity and concern for the environmental impact of fossil fuels, implementation of eco-friendly energy sources like solar power are rising. One of the major methods for harnessing solar energy is through the utilization of photovoltaic (PV) panels. However, accumulation of dust and debris on PV panels has the potential to considerably reduce overall efficiency of the system. United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located in the Saharan desert which has an abundance of sunlight and open space appropriate for solar energy applications. The main problem the country faces is dust gust and little rainfall. As a direct consequence, solar panels must be often cleaned because dust reduces the efficiency of PV panels. Current labor-based cleaning methods of photovoltaic arrays are expensive and requires a huge amount of water. This paper proposes a new design and implementation of a Portable PV Cleaning Robot System (PPVCRS). Results showed that with the implementation of the PPVCRS, 1) the overall Solar PV array efficiency has increased; 2) more free and renewable energy was harnessed; 3) overall water usage was cut down; and 4) a significant economic benefits to the country was noticeable because less money was spent on labor and water.