Photovoltaic panel cleaning system
By designing a photovoltaic panel cleaning system, a closed-loop water resource recycling system using a combination of differentiated pumps and valves was implemented. This solved the problems of reduced light transmittance and water scarcity caused by dust accumulation on the photovoltaic panel surface, achieving efficient cleaning and low-cost operation, and improving the power generation efficiency and economy of the photovoltaic power station.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NORTHWEST ENGINEERING CORPORATION LIMITED
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
Smart Images

Figure CN122293022A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of clean technology, and more specifically, to a photovoltaic panel cleaning system. Background Technology
[0002] During operation, large-scale photovoltaic power plants are prone to accumulating dust, sand, and other contaminants on the surface of photovoltaic panels. If not cleaned in time, this can lead to a decrease in the light transmittance of the photovoltaic modules, significantly reducing power generation efficiency. In arid and water-scarce regions, water resources are extremely scarce, and the construction costs of long-distance water pipelines are high, while operation and maintenance are difficult. External water transportation methods are also expensive, severely restricting the economic viability and sustainable operation of photovoltaic power plants.
[0003] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a photovoltaic panel cleaning system that improves economic efficiency and sustainability.
[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a photovoltaic panel cleaning system is provided, the photovoltaic panel cleaning system comprising: A photovoltaic module, comprising a support frame and multiple photovoltaic panels, wherein the photovoltaic panels are mounted on the support frame; A cleaning assembly, comprising a cleaning pipeline and a plurality of cleaning nozzles, wherein the plurality of cleaning nozzles are connected to the cleaning pipeline and the cleaning nozzles are configured to spray and clean the photovoltaic panel. A collection component, comprising a water collection tank and a water collection container, wherein the water collection tank is located at the photovoltaic panel and configured to collect water from the photovoltaic panel, and the water collection container is used to store the water collected by the water collection tank; A water supply assembly includes a water tower, a first water pump, a pumping pipeline, a supply pipeline, and a second water pump. The water tower is connected to a water collection tank via the pumping pipeline. The first water pump is configured to pump water from the water collection tank to the water tower via the pumping pipeline. The water tower is connected to a cleaning pipeline via the supply pipeline. The second water pump is configured to pump water from the water tower to the cleaning pipeline via the supply pipeline to supply water to the cleaning nozzles. The operating voltage of the second water pump is greater than that of the first water pump, the flow rate of the second water pump is greater than that of the first water pump, and the head of the first water pump is greater than that of the second water pump.
[0006] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the photovoltaic panel cleaning system further includes: The main water pipe is shared by the water supply pipeline and the water pumping pipeline. A first valve assembly has a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. The first opening is connected to one end of the main water pipe, the second opening is connected to the water collection tank through the first water pump, and the third opening is connected to the cleaning pipeline. The first valve assembly is configured to open or close the first opening and the second opening, open or close the first opening and the third opening, and open or close the second opening and the third opening. The second valve assembly has a fourth opening, a fifth opening, and a sixth opening. The fourth opening is connected to the other end of the main water pipe, the fifth opening is connected to the water tower, and the sixth opening is connected to the water tower via the second water pump. The second valve assembly is configured to open or close the fourth opening and the fifth opening, and to open or close the fourth opening and the sixth opening.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the first valve group includes a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve. The first valve is disposed between the first opening and the second opening and is capable of opening or blocking the first opening and the second opening. The second valve is disposed between the first opening and the third opening and is capable of opening or blocking the first opening and the third opening. The third valve is disposed between the second opening and the third opening and is capable of opening or blocking the second opening and the third opening. The second valve group includes a fourth valve and a fifth valve. The fourth valve is located between the fourth opening and the fifth opening and is capable of opening or blocking the fourth opening and the fifth opening. The fifth valve is located between the fourth opening and the sixth opening and is capable of opening or blocking the fourth opening and the sixth opening.
[0008] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, the fourth valve, and the fifth valve are all electrically operated valves, and the photovoltaic panel cleaning system further includes: A control component is connected to the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, the fourth valve, and the fifth valve, and is configured to control the on / off states of the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, the fourth valve, and the fifth valve.
[0009] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the control component is also connected to the first water pump and the second water pump, and is configured to control the on / off state of the first water pump and the second water pump; The control component is also connected to the first water pump and the second water pump, and is configured to control the on / off state of the first water pump and the second water pump; The control component is configured to control the first valve group and the second valve group to switch to at least one of the following operating modes: The first opening and the second opening of the first valve group are connected, the fourth opening and the fifth opening of the second valve group are connected, other passages are closed, the first water pump is started, and the water in the water collection tank is circulated through the water tower, and the water tower settles the impurities in the water in a circulatory sedimentation mode. The second and third openings of the first valve group are connected, the fourth and sixth openings of the second valve group are connected, other passages are closed, the second water pump is started, and the water in the collection tank enters the cleaning pipeline directly for cleaning without passing through the water tower in the bypass direct spray mode. Connect the first opening to the second opening, the first opening to the third opening, and the fourth opening to the sixth opening to start the combined water supply mode in which the first water pump and the second water pump operate in parallel.
[0010] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the water supply assembly further includes a gravity flow pipeline, one end of which is connected to the upper middle part of the water tower, and the other end is connected to the cleaning pipeline; The gravity flow pipeline is equipped with a gravity flow regulating valve; The self-flow regulating valve is connected to the control component, which is configured to perform at least one of the following modes: When the water level in the water tower is higher than the preset value, the second water pump is turned off and the self-flow regulating valve is turned on, using the high potential energy of the water tower for low-pressure gravity cleaning in an energy-saving mode. Close the self-flow regulating valve and turn on the second water pump to perform a high-pressure cleaning mode.
[0011] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the photovoltaic panel cleaning system further includes an ambient temperature sensor and a photovoltaic panel temperature sensor, both of which are connected to the control component; The control component is also configured to: When the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature sensor is lower than the first temperature threshold, the first water pump is started to transport the water in the water collection tank to the water tower, and the water in the water tower is used to clean the photovoltaic panel through the water supply pipeline and the cleaning nozzle. Before the cleaning starts, the first water pump and the second water pump are controlled to run at a preset low frequency for a first time to keep the water in the water supply pipeline flowing to prevent freezing. When the ambient temperature rises above the first temperature threshold and remains above it for a second duration, the anti-freezing cleaning mode is stopped and the system returns to normal operation mode. When the photovoltaic panel temperature sensor detects that the photovoltaic panel temperature is higher than the second temperature threshold, it automatically switches to the high-power mode and increases the frequency of the second water pump to increase the cleaning water flow rate, thereby cooling and cleaning the photovoltaic panel. When the ambient temperature is below freezing and the system is in standby mode, the first and second water pumps are started at low frequency at regular intervals to circulate water in the collection tank, water tower and pipelines to prevent the system from freezing.
[0012] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the inlet of the first water pump is connected to the water collection tank through the pumping pipeline, and the outlet of the first water pump is connected to a three-way valve. The first outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the water tower through the pumping pipeline, and the second outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the cleaning pipeline through the outlet pipeline to supply water to the cleaning nozzle.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the water collection tank has a water outlet on its side wall, and the height of the water outlet in the depth direction of the water collection tank is 30% to 35% of the depth of the water collection tank; the water outlet is connected to the inlet of the first water pump; The bottom of the water collection tank is also equipped with an electric drain valve that is linked to the first water pump; when the first water pump starts, the electric drain valve is opened first to pre-drain for a first time, and then water is pumped through the outlet hole.
[0014] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the collection assembly includes a plurality of the water collection tanks, and the first water pump is in communication with at least two of the water collection tanks; The pumping pipeline includes a main water pipe, and multiple first water pumps are connected to the water tower through the same main water pipe; The water tower includes a water storage tank, which is covered with an insulation layer.
[0015] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the collection component further includes a water purification component, which includes a purification tank and a purification valve disposed on the purification tank. The water purification substance in the purification tank can enter the water storage tank of the water tower through the purification valve.
[0016] The photovoltaic panel cleaning system disclosed herein features a cleaning pipeline connected to multiple cleaning nozzles within the cleaning module. These nozzles are specifically configured to spray and clean the photovoltaic panels, precisely covering multiple panel surfaces. This provides advantages such as wide coverage, high cleaning efficiency, and uniform cleaning effect, quickly removing dust, sand, and other contaminants from the photovoltaic panel surface and restoring the light transmittance of the photovoltaic modules. Increased light transmittance directly improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic cells, thereby enhancing the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power station and increasing its power output and economic benefits. A water supply module provides ample water to the cleaning nozzles, preventing incomplete or interrupted cleaning due to insufficient water supply. This ensures timely and effective cleaning of the photovoltaic panels, preventing long-term accumulation of contaminants that could damage them, and further guaranteeing the long-term stable operation and power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic modules. A water collection tank within the collection module is located at the photovoltaic panels, precisely collecting water from them. This water includes wastewater from cleaning the photovoltaic panels and natural rainfall. Photovoltaic panels, with their large surface area, act as natural water collection carriers during rainfall. The water collection troughs fully utilize the existing structure of the photovoltaic modules, eliminating the need for additional land for dedicated water collection facilities and reducing system construction costs. The troughs transport the collected water to storage tanks, achieving centralized collection and buffering of water resources, preventing direct rainwater runoff and improving rainwater collection efficiency. The storage tanks and water towers ensure sufficient water for photovoltaic panel cleaning even in short periods without rainfall, preventing cleaning disruptions due to unstable water supply and guaranteeing the stability of panel cleanliness and power generation efficiency. Water from the collection tanks is pumped to the water tower via a first pump and pumping pipeline, then to the cleaning nozzles via a second pump, supply pipeline, and cleaning pipeline, forming a closed-loop cycle of collection-storage-supply-cleaning-recollection. This recycling system makes full use of cleaning wastewater and rainwater, significantly reducing the consumption of fresh water resources during the cleaning process. It is well-suited to the water resource situation in arid and water-scarce areas, and significantly reduces the power station's water usage costs. Simultaneously, the water in the water tower can be boosted by gravity and a booster pump, increasing the pressure of the water sprayed from the nozzles, further improving water resource utilization and reducing water consumption. Furthermore, the water collection tank is positioned relatively low, while the water tower is relatively high; therefore, the first pump needs a large head to lift and transport the water. The water transport from the collection tank to the water tower is a storage-type water transport, requiring no rapid and large-volume transport, thus requiring a relatively low flow rate and correspondingly lower operating voltage, reducing energy consumption. The second pump transports water from the water tower to the cleaning pipeline, providing spray pressure and flow to the cleaning nozzles.The cleaning process requires sufficient water velocity and flow rate to ensure cleaning effectiveness; therefore, the second water pump needs a larger flow rate. Simultaneously, the water tower already possesses a certain height advantage, allowing the second water pump to have a relatively lower head. The larger flow rate requirement corresponds to a higher operating voltage to ensure the pump's power output. This differentiated configuration avoids the inefficiency and excessive energy consumption problems associated with using a single pump for both operating conditions. Using a single high-head pump for cleaning water supply would result in insufficient flow and poor cleaning effect; using a single high-flow pump for water tower delivery would lead to excessive energy waste due to excessive head. By adapting the first and second water pumps to their respective operating conditions, energy consumption is minimized and pump operating efficiency is improved while ensuring system functionality, thereby reducing system operating costs.
[0017] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a photovoltaic panel cleaning system provided in one embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a photovoltaic panel cleaning system provided in another embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a photovoltaic panel cleaning system provided in another embodiment of this disclosure.
[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 10. Photovoltaic modules; 11. Photovoltaic panels; 12. Support brackets; 20. Cleaning components; 21. Cleaning piping; 22. Cleaning nozzles; 30. Collection component; 31. Water collection trough; 32. Water collection tank; 40. Water supply components; 41. Water tower; 42. First water pump; 43. Second water pump; 44. Pumping pipeline; 45. Water supply pipeline; 46. Three-way valve; 47. Gravity flow pipeline; 48. Gravity flow regulating valve; 50. Main water pipe; 60. First valve group; 61. First valve; 62. Second valve; 63. Third valve; 70. Second valve group; 71. Fourth valve; 72. Fifth valve. Detailed Implementation
[0020] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art.
[0021] Although relative terms such as "up" and "down" are used in this specification to describe the relative relationship of one component of an icon to another, these terms are used only for convenience, such as according to the orientation of the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that if the device of the icon is flipped upside down, the component described as "up" will become the component described as "down." When a structure is "up" of another structure, it may mean that the structure is integrally formed on the other structure, or that the structure is "directly" mounted on the other structure, or that the structure is "indirectly" mounted on the other structure through another structure.
[0022] The terms “a,” “one,” “the,” “the,” and “at least one” are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms “including” and “having” are used to indicate an open-ended inclusion and to mean that there may be other elements / components / etc. in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.; the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used only as markers and are not a limitation on the number of objects.
[0023] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a photovoltaic panel cleaning system, such as... Figure 1As shown, the photovoltaic panel cleaning system includes: a photovoltaic module 10, a cleaning component 20, a collection component 30, and a water supply component 40. The photovoltaic module 10 includes a support 12 and multiple photovoltaic panels 11, with the photovoltaic panels 11 mounted on the support 12. The cleaning component 20 includes a cleaning pipeline 21 and multiple cleaning nozzles 22, which are connected to the cleaning pipeline 21 and configured to spray and clean the photovoltaic panels 11. The collection component 30 includes a water collection tank 31 and a water collection container 32. The water collection tank 31 is located at the photovoltaic panel 11 and configured to collect water from the photovoltaic panel 11, while the water collection container 32 stores the water collected by the water collection tank 31. The water supply component 40 includes a water tower 41, a water tank 42, and a water supply system 40. The system includes a water pump 42, a pumping pipe 44, a water supply pipe 45, and a second water pump 43. A water tower 41 is connected to a water collection tank 32 via the pumping pipe 44. The first water pump 42 is configured to pump water from the water collection tank 32 to the water tower 41 via the pumping pipe 44. The water tower 41 is connected to a cleaning pipe 21 via the water supply pipe 45. The second water pump 43 is configured to pump water from the water tower 41 to the cleaning pipe 21 via the water supply pipe 45 to supply water to the cleaning nozzles 22. The operating voltage of the second water pump 43 is greater than that of the first water pump 42, the flow rate of the second water pump 43 is greater than that of the first water pump 42, and the head of the first water pump 42 is greater than that of the second water pump 43.
[0024] The photovoltaic panel cleaning system disclosed herein includes a cleaning pipeline 21 in the cleaning component 20 connected to multiple cleaning nozzles 22. These nozzles are specifically configured to spray and clean the photovoltaic panels 11, accurately covering the surfaces of multiple photovoltaic panels 11. This provides advantages such as wide coverage, high cleaning efficiency, and uniform cleaning effect, quickly removing dust, sand, and other contaminants from the surface of the photovoltaic panels 11 and restoring the light transmittance of the photovoltaic module 10. Increased light transmittance directly improves the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic cells, thereby enhancing the overall power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power station and increasing its power output and economic benefits. The water supply component 40 provides sufficient water to the cleaning nozzles 22, preventing incomplete cleaning or interruptions due to insufficient water supply. This ensures timely and effective cleaning of the photovoltaic panels 11, preventing long-term accumulation of contaminants that could damage them, and further guaranteeing the long-term stable operation and power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic module 10. The water collection trough 31 in the collection module 30 is located at the photovoltaic panel 11, accurately collecting water from the photovoltaic panel 11. This water includes wastewater from cleaning the photovoltaic panel 11 and natural precipitation. The photovoltaic panel 11 itself has a large surface area, serving as a natural water collection carrier during rainfall. The water collection trough 31 fully utilizes the existing structure of the photovoltaic module 10, eliminating the need for additional land to construct dedicated water collection facilities, thus reducing system construction costs. The water collection trough 31 transports the collected water to the water collection tank 32 for storage, achieving centralized collection and buffering of water resources, preventing direct rainwater loss, and improving rainwater collection efficiency. The water collection tank 32 and water tower 41 provide water storage. Even in the event of short-term drought, the water stored in the water collection tank 32 and water tower 41 can meet the cleaning needs of the photovoltaic panel 11, preventing cleaning operations from being impossible due to unstable water supply, and ensuring the stability of the cleanliness and power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic panel 11. Water in the collection tank 32 is transported to the water tower 41 via the first water pump 42 and the pumping pipeline 44, and then to the cleaning nozzles 22 via the second water pump 43, the water supply pipeline 45, and the cleaning pipeline 21, forming a closed-loop cycle of collection-storage-water supply-cleaning-recollection. This cycle system makes full use of cleaning wastewater and rainwater, significantly reducing the consumption of fresh water resources during the cleaning process, adapting to the water resource situation in arid and water-scarce areas, and significantly reducing the water resource usage cost of the power station. At the same time, the water in the water tower 41 can increase the pressure of the water sprayed from the nozzles through the combined action of gravity and the booster pump, further improving the water resource utilization rate and further reducing water resource consumption.
[0025] Furthermore, the water collection tank 32 is positioned relatively low, while the water tower 41 is positioned relatively high. Therefore, the first water pump 42 needs a large head to lift and transport the water. The water transfer from the collection tank 32 to the water tower 41 is a storage-type water transfer, which does not require rapid and large-volume delivery. Therefore, the flow rate requirement is relatively low, and the corresponding operating voltage is also lower, reducing energy consumption. The second water pump 43 is used to transport water from the water tower 41 to the cleaning pipeline 21, providing spray pressure and flow to the cleaning nozzles 22. Sufficient water velocity and flow rate are required to ensure cleaning effectiveness during the cleaning process; therefore, the second water pump 43 requires a large flow rate. Simultaneously, the water tower 41 already has a certain height advantage, so the head required for the second water pump 43 is relatively low. The larger flow rate requirement corresponds to a higher operating voltage to ensure the pump's power output. This differentiated configuration avoids the inefficiency and excessive energy consumption problems caused by using a single pump to handle both operating conditions. Using a single high-lift pump for cleaning water supply would result in insufficient flow and poor cleaning effect; using a single large-flow pump for water supply to water tower 41 would lead to excessive energy waste due to excessive head. By adapting the first pump 42 and the second pump 43 to their respective operating conditions, energy consumption is minimized and pump operating efficiency is improved while ensuring the system functions, thereby reducing the system's operating costs.
[0026] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the photovoltaic panel cleaning system also includes: a main water pipe 50, a first valve group 60, and a second valve group 70. The water supply pipe 45 and the pumping pipe 44 share the main water pipe 50. The first valve group 60 has a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. The first opening is connected to one end of the main water pipe 50, the second opening is connected to the water collection tank 32 through the first water pump 42, and the third opening is connected to the cleaning pipe 21. The first valve group 60 is configured to be able to open or close the first opening and the second opening, the first opening and the third opening, and the second opening and the third opening. The second valve group 70 has a fourth opening, a fifth opening, and a sixth opening. The fourth opening is connected to the other end of the main water pipe 50, the fifth opening is connected to the water tower 41, and the sixth opening is connected to the water tower 41 through the second water pump 43. The second valve group 70 is configured to be able to open or close the fourth opening and the fifth opening, and the fourth opening and the sixth opening. In traditional pipeline designs, water supply pipeline 45 and pumping pipeline 44 need to be laid separately, which not only increases the amount of pipe materials used but also requires additional land resources for pipeline laying, while increasing construction workload and time. The shared main water pipe 50 design, however, makes full use of existing pipeline resources, reduces the total pipeline length and construction difficulty, and lowers investment costs during the construction phase. From an operation and maintenance perspective, a reduction in the number of pipelines means fewer potential points of failure. In arid and water-scarce areas, photovoltaic power stations are often located in remote areas, making the dispatch of maintenance personnel and equipment difficult. Reducing pipeline failure points can lower maintenance workload and costs, while shortening fault repair time and improving system operational stability. Furthermore, the shared main water pipe 50 facilitates unified pipeline management and maintenance, further reducing the difficulty of operation and maintenance.
[0027] The first valve group 60 has a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, which are respectively connected to one end of the main water pipe 50, the first water pump 42 (connected to the water collection tank 32), and the cleaning pipeline 21. It can control the flow of water between these openings, allowing the system to flexibly adjust the water flow direction according to different operating conditions (such as rainwater collection, water tower 41 replenishment, and photovoltaic panel 11 cleaning), maximizing water resource utilization efficiency. In the rainwater collection and water tower 41 replenishment operation: when rainwater or cleaning wastewater collected in the water collection tank 32 needs to be transported to the water tower 41 for storage, the first valve group 60 can control the opening of the first and second openings, and the blocking of the first and third openings, as well as the blocking of the second and third openings. At this time, water in the water collection tank 32 enters the first valve group 60 through the first water pump 42 and the second opening, then enters the main water pipe 50 through the first opening, and is subsequently transported to the water tower 41, realizing the water replenishment function of the water tower 41. In the photovoltaic panel 11 cleaning process: When cleaning of the photovoltaic panel 11 is required, the water flow path can be flexibly adjusted according to the water level of the water tower 41 and the water collection tank 32. If the water level in the water tower 41 is sufficient, the first valve group 60 can be controlled to open the first opening and the third opening, and block the first opening and the second opening, and block the second opening and the third opening. At this time, the water in the water tower 41 enters the first valve group 60 through the main water pipe 50 and the first opening, and then enters the cleaning pipeline 21 through the third opening to supply water to the cleaning nozzle 22. If the water level in the water tower 41 is insufficient but the water level in the water collection tank 32 is sufficient, the first valve group 60 can be controlled to open the second opening and the third opening, and block the first opening and the second opening, and block the first opening and the third opening. At this time, the water in the water collection tank 32 enters the first valve group 60 through the first water pump 42 and the second opening, and then directly enters the cleaning pipeline 21 through the third opening, achieving rapid cleaning without the need for transfer through the water tower 41, improving cleaning efficiency, and avoiding delays in cleaning work due to untimely water replenishment from the water tower 41. This flexible switching capability across multiple operating conditions enables the system to optimize water flow paths based on actual water resource availability, equipment operating status, and cleaning needs, maximizing the utilization of recycled water resources, reducing water waste, and ensuring the timeliness and continuity of cleaning work, further enhancing the system's adaptability in arid and water-scarce areas.
[0028] The second valve group 70 has a fourth, fifth, and sixth opening, which are respectively connected to the other end of the main water pipe 50, the water tower 41, and the second water pump 43 (connected to the water tower 41), and can control the opening and closing of the fourth and fifth openings, and the fourth and sixth openings. This design works in conjunction with the first valve group 60 to further optimize the water supply chain and ensure the stability and safety of the water supply. When water needs to be added to the water tower 41, the second valve group 70 can control the opening of the fourth and fifth openings and the closing of the fourth and sixth openings. At this time, water in the main water pipe 50 enters the second valve group 70 through the fourth opening, and then enters the water tower 41 through the fifth opening, thus replenishing the water tower 41. When water needs to be supplied to the cleaning pipeline 21, the fourth and sixth openings can be controlled to open, and the fourth and fifth openings can be closed. At this time, water in the water tower 41 enters the second valve group 70 through the second water pump 43 and the sixth opening, and then enters the main water pipe 50 through the fourth opening, and is then transported to the first valve group 60 and the cleaning pipeline 21.
[0029] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2As shown, the first valve group 60 includes a first valve 61, a second valve 62, and a third valve 63. The first valve 61 is located between the first opening and the second opening and can open or close the connection between the first and second openings. The second valve 62 is located between the first opening and the third opening and can open or close the connection between the first and third openings. The third valve 63 is located between the second opening and the third opening and can open or close the connection between the second and third openings. The second valve group 70 includes a fourth valve 71 and a fifth valve 72. The fourth valve 71 is located between the fourth opening and the fifth opening and can open or close the connection between the fourth and fifth openings. The fifth valve 72 is located between the fourth opening and the sixth opening and can open or close the connection between the fourth and sixth openings. By disassembling the first valve group 60 into three independent valves, which respectively control the opening and closing of the connections between the first and second openings, the first and third openings, and the second and third openings, the function of each valve is clearly defined. The first valve 61 specifically controls the opening and closing of the first and second openings, responsible for the water flow from the collection tank 32 to the main water pipe 50; the second valve 62 specifically controls the opening and closing of the first and third openings, responsible for the water flow from the main water pipe 50 to the cleaning pipe 21; the third valve 63 specifically controls the opening and closing of the second and third openings, responsible for the water flow directly from the collection tank 32 to the cleaning pipe 21. This clear division of labor simplifies the control logic of each valve, enabling precise responses to water flow demands under different operating conditions and avoiding incorrect water flow direction or water waste due to inaccurate valve control. For example, when the collection tank 32 needs to supply water directly to the cleaning pipe 21, simply opening the third valve 63 and closing the first and second valves 62 achieves precise water flow switching, ensuring that all water is used for cleaning and improving water resource utilization efficiency. Similarly, in the second valve group 70, the fourth valve 71 specifically controls the opening and closing of the fourth and fifth openings, responsible for the water flow from the main water pipe 50 to the water tower 41; the fifth valve 72 specifically controls the opening and closing of the fourth and sixth openings, responsible for the water flow from the water tower 41 to the main water pipe 50. This clear division of labor also improves the accuracy of water flow control during the water replenishment and supply process of the water tower 41, avoids water flow conflicts during the replenishment and supply process, and ensures the stability of the water supply.
[0030] In some embodiments, the first valve 61, the second valve 62, the third valve 63, the fourth valve 71, and the fifth valve 72 may all be electric valves. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system also includes a control component, which is connected to the first valve 61, the second valve 62, the third valve 63, the fourth valve 71, and the fifth valve 72, and is configured to control the on / off state of the first valve 61, the second valve 62, the third valve 63, the fourth valve 71, and the fifth valve 72.
[0031] The control component can automatically send switching control signals to each electric valve according to a preset program or real-time monitoring data (such as the pollution level of photovoltaic panel 11, water level of water collection tank 32, water level of water tower 41, etc.), so as to achieve precise and rapid switching of water flow path. For example, when the dust accumulation on the photovoltaic panel 11 is detected to be greater than a preset threshold (indicating severe dust accumulation), the control component can automatically determine the water levels of the water collection tank 32 and the water tower 41: if the water level in the water tower 41 is sufficient, the fourth valve 71 is automatically closed and the fifth valve 72 is opened (the water tower 41 supplies water to the main water pipe 50), the first valve 61 is closed and the second valve 62 is opened (the main water pipe 50 supplies water to the cleaning pipe 21), and the third valve 63 is closed, thus realizing automatic water supply from the water tower 41 to the cleaning pipe 21 and starting the cleaning process; if the water level in the water tower 41 is insufficient but the water level in the water collection tank 32 is sufficient, the first valve 61 is automatically closed and the third valve 63 is opened (the water collection tank 32 directly supplies water to the cleaning pipe 21), the fourth valve 71 is closed and the fifth valve 72 is closed, quickly starting the cleaning process; if the water levels in both the water collection tank 32 and the water tower 41 are insufficient, the control component can pause the cleaning process and wait for rainfall or other water replenishment methods to avoid excessive water consumption. The system can complete the pre-cleaning preparations without human intervention, significantly improving cleaning efficiency, ensuring that the photovoltaic panels 11 can be cleaned in a timely manner, thereby improving power generation efficiency and realizing intelligent cleaning.
[0032] In addition, this remote automated control capability significantly reduces the on-site workload of operation and maintenance personnel, lowers labor and transportation costs, and is especially suitable for photovoltaic power stations in remote areas. It further improves the economic efficiency of the power station, reduces the difficulty of operation and maintenance, and meets the needs of power stations in remote areas.
[0033] In some embodiments, the control component is also connected to the first water pump 42 and the second water pump 43 and is configured to control the on / off state of the first water pump 42 and the second water pump 43, thereby realizing coordinated automated control of the water pumps and valves.
[0034] The control component is configured to control the first valve group 60 and the second valve group 70 to switch to at least one of the following operating modes: Circulation sedimentation mode: Open the first and second openings of the first valve group 60, open the fourth and fifth openings of the second valve group 70, close other passages, start the first water pump 42, and the water in the water collection tank 32 circulates through the water tower 41, where impurities in the water are settled. Bypass direct injection mode: Open the second and third openings of the first valve group 60, open the fourth and sixth openings of the second valve group 70, close other passages, start the second water pump 43, and the water in the water collection tank 32 enters the cleaning pipeline 21 directly for cleaning without passing through the water tower 41. Combined water supply mode: Connect the first opening to the second opening, the first opening to the third opening, and the fourth opening to the sixth opening, and start the first water pump 42 and the second water pump 43 to operate in parallel.
[0035] During water replenishment of water tower 41, the control component can first control the opening of the first valve 61 (between the first and second openings) and the fourth valve 71 (between the fourth and fifth openings), while closing the other valves. Then, it controls the start of the first water pump 42 to transport water from the collection tank 32 to the water tower 41 through the main water pipe 50. If the water pump is started before the valves are opened, the water pump will run dry or the pipeline pressure will rise sharply, damaging the water pump or pipeline. If the valves are opened before the water pump is started, the water in the collection tank 32 will not be able to be transported, wasting water resources or delaying water replenishment. Coordinated control can ensure that the valve opening and water pump start-up are in the correct sequence, the process is smooth, and the water replenishment efficiency is improved. In the photovoltaic panel 11 cleaning process, if water is supplied by water tower 41, the control unit can first open the fifth valve 72 (between the fourth and sixth openings) and the second valve 62 (between the first and third openings), while closing the other valves. Then, the second water pump 43 is started to transport the water from water tower 41 to cleaning pipeline 21. If water is supplied directly by water collection tank 32, the third valve 63 (between the second and third openings) can be opened first, while closing the other valves. Then, the first water pump 42 is started to directly supply water to cleaning pipeline 21. This coordinated control ensures that the water flow path is unobstructed before starting the water pump, avoiding operation of the water pump when the pipeline is blocked or the valves are not open. This reduces ineffective pump operation, lowers energy consumption, and prevents damage to pipelines and equipment due to excessive pressure, thus improving system operating efficiency. The realization of full-process automated control significantly improves the system's intelligence level and operating efficiency. For example, the system can preset the cleaning cycle or automatically trigger the cleaning process based on the light transmittance of the photovoltaic panel 11. After triggering the cleaning, the control components automatically monitor the water levels in the water collection tank 32 and the water tower 41 to determine the water supply path; automatically open the corresponding valves and water pumps to supply water to the cleaning pipeline 21 and start the spray cleaning; after cleaning is completed, automatically close the water pumps and valves, and simultaneously open the valves related to water collection to collect the cleaning wastewater into the water collection tank 32, completing one cleaning cycle. The entire process requires no manual operation, which not only improves cleaning efficiency but also reduces errors that may be caused by human intervention, ensuring the standardization and consistency of the cleaning process.
[0036] Furthermore, the control component can monitor the operating status of the pumps and valves in real time. If a fault is detected in one device, the operating status of other devices can be adjusted promptly to ensure the normal operation of the system's core functions. For example, if the first pump 42 fails to start, the control component can detect this and adjust the valve status accordingly: opening the third valve 63 and the fifth valve 72, closing the first valve 61 and the fourth valve 71, and starting the second pump 43 to use the water stored in the water tower 41 for cleaning, thus preventing the cleaning work from being interrupted due to the failure of the first pump 42. If the second pump 43 fails, the first valve 61, the third valve 63, and the fourth valve 71 can be opened, the fifth valve 72 can be closed, and the first pump 42 can be started, supplying water directly to the cleaning pipeline 21 through the water collection tank 32, ensuring the continuity of the cleaning work. At the same time, coordinated control can also prevent faults caused by equipment misoperation. For example, the control component can set interlock logic to prevent the pump from starting when the valve is not open; and to prevent the closure of key valves when the pump is running, thus preventing the pump from running dry or the pipeline pressure from rising suddenly. This interlocking protection mechanism can effectively protect water pumps and pipeline equipment, extend equipment service life, and improve the system's operational stability and sustainable operation capability.
[0037] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the water supply assembly 40 may further include a gravity flow pipeline 47, one end of which is connected to the upper middle part of the water tower 41, and the other end is connected to the cleaning pipeline 21; a gravity flow regulating valve 48 is provided on the gravity flow pipeline 47; the gravity flow regulating valve 48 is connected to a control assembly, which is configured to perform at least one of the following modes: Energy-saving mode: When the liquid level in water tower 41 is higher than the preset value, the second water pump 43 is turned off and the self-flow regulating valve 48 is opened to use the high potential energy of water tower 41 for low-pressure gravity cleaning. Powerful mode: Close the self-flow regulating valve 48 and turn on the second water pump 43 for pressurized cleaning.
[0038] By utilizing the high potential energy of water tower 41, when the water storage is sufficient and the cleaning demand is not high, water is supplied by gravity flow, saving water pump energy consumption; when high-pressure cleaning is required, the system switches to water pump pressurization mode to ensure cleaning effect; the two modes are seamlessly switched by valve switching, taking into account both energy saving and cleaning effect.
[0039] In some embodiments, the photovoltaic panel 11 cleaning system further includes an ambient temperature sensor and a photovoltaic panel 11 temperature sensor, both of which are connected to the control component. The control component is also configured to: when the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature sensor is lower than a first temperature threshold (e.g., 0°C to 5°C), start the first water pump 42 to deliver water from the water collection tank 32 to the water tower 41, and allow the water in the water tower 41 to clean the photovoltaic panel 11 via the water supply pipe 45 and the cleaning nozzle 22; and before cleaning begins, control the first water pump 42 and the second water pump 43 to operate at a preset low frequency for a first duration to keep the water flowing in the water supply pipe 45 to prevent freezing; when the ambient temperature rises above the first temperature threshold and remains above it for a second duration (e.g., 1 minute)... After 5 minutes, the anti-freezing cleaning mode is stopped, and the system returns to normal operation. When the temperature of the photovoltaic panel 11 detected by the temperature sensor is higher than the second temperature threshold (e.g., 50℃~60℃), the system automatically switches to the powerful mode and increases the frequency of the second water pump 43 to increase the cleaning water flow rate, thus cooling and cleaning the photovoltaic panel 11. When the ambient temperature is below freezing and the system is in standby mode, the first water pump 42 and the second water pump 43 are started at low frequency to circulate water in the water collection tank 32, water tower 41, and pipelines to prevent the system from freezing. By monitoring the ambient temperature and the temperature of the photovoltaic panel 11 in real time, the control module intelligently judges the system's operating status and automatically switches between different working modes. In low-temperature environments, it takes flow antifreeze measures, and in high-temperature environments, it takes enhanced cleaning and cooling measures to achieve adaptive operation and protection of the system.
[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, the inlet of the first water pump 42 is connected to the water collection tank 32 via the pumping pipe 44, and the outlet of the first water pump 42 is connected to a three-way valve 46. The first outlet of the three-way valve 46 is connected to the water tower 41 via the pumping pipe 44, and the first outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the cleaning pipe 21 via the outlet pipe to supply water to the cleaning nozzle 22. By setting the three-way valve 46 at the outlet of the first water pump 42, a direct water supply path is added from the water collection tank 32 to the first water pump 42, then to the three-way valve 46, and finally to the cleaning pipe 21. This allows the system to flexibly select the water supply method according to actual working conditions, improving the flexibility of water supply. For example, when the water level in water tower 41 is sufficient and the photovoltaic panel 11 is lightly contaminated, the original circulation path can be selected, and water can be supplied to the cleaning pipeline 21 through the second water pump 43, using the pressure stabilizing effect of water tower 41 to ensure stable water supply pressure. When the water level in water tower 41 is insufficient but the water level in collection tank 32 is sufficient, and the photovoltaic panel 11 needs urgent cleaning, the direct water supply path can be switched through three-way valve 46, without passing through water tower 41, and the water in collection tank 32 can be directly transported to cleaning pipeline 21 to quickly start the cleaning process and avoid cleaning delays caused by untimely water replenishment from water tower 41. When encountering drought with no rainfall and low water levels in both collection tank 32 and water tower 41, the opening of the two outlets can be controlled through three-way valve 46 to reasonably allocate water flow. Part of the water flow is transported to water tower 41 for storage, and the other part is used for necessary cleaning work to ensure optimal utilization of water resources.
[0041] In some embodiments, a water outlet is provided on the side wall of the water collection tank 32. The height of the water outlet in the depth direction of the water collection tank 32 is 30% to 35% of the depth of the water collection tank 32. For example, the water outlet is located at one-third of the height of the tank wall of the water collection tank 32. The water outlet is connected to the inlet of the first water pump 42. According to the sedimentation phenomenon, impurities in the water (such as dust and sand) will gradually settle to the bottom of the water collection tank 32 due to gravity. By setting the height of the water outlet to 30% to 35% of the depth of the water collection tank 32, it can be ensured that the settled impurities remain at the bottom of the water collection tank 32 (below the water outlet), while the water outlet only draws the clear water from the upper layer of the water collection tank 32. For example, when the depth of the water collection tank 32 is 10 meters, the height of the water outlet is 3 meters to 3.5 meters. The bottom 3 meters to 3.5 meters of space is used to store the settled impurities, and the clear water from the upper layer enters the first water pump 42 through the water outlet. This design effectively removes most solid impurities from the water, improving water quality and preventing secondary pollution of the photovoltaic panels 11, while ensuring the spraying effect of the cleaning nozzles 22. Simultaneously, the low impurity content of the upper-middle layer water drawn from the outlet significantly reduces impurity wear on the impeller after entering the first water pump 42, ensuring pump efficiency and reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, the clean water entering the cleaning pipe 21 does not clog the nozzles, ensuring uniform spray pressure and stable cleaning results. The extended equipment lifespan reduces equipment replacement and maintenance costs, improving the system's operational economy.
[0042] Furthermore, the preliminary sedimentation and purification function removes most solid impurities from the water, reducing the processing pressure on subsequent water purification stages. The water can be directly pumped by the water pump without filtration, lowering subsequent purification costs. If more advanced water purification components are subsequently added, the significantly reduced impurity content after preliminary sedimentation reduces the consumption of purification substances in the components, extending their lifespan and lowering replacement and maintenance costs. For example, without preliminary sedimentation, large amounts of sand and dust in the water quickly consume purification substances, leading to frequent component replacements. After preliminary sedimentation, the purification substances only need to treat small impurities, significantly slowing down consumption and extending replacement cycles, thus reducing the overall operating cost of the system.
[0043] In some embodiments, the bottom of the water collection tank 32 is also provided with an electric drain valve that is linked to the first water pump 42; when the first water pump 42 starts, the electric drain valve is opened first to pre-drain for a first time (e.g., 1 min to 5 min), and then water is pumped through the outlet hole to avoid sucking in the sediment at the bottom of the water collection tank 32.
[0044] In some embodiments, the collection component 30 includes multiple water collection tanks 32, and a first water pump 42 is connected to at least two water collection tanks 32; the water supply component 40 includes multiple first water pumps 42, and the pumping pipeline 44 includes a main water pipe 50, with the multiple first water pumps 42 connected to a water tower 41 through the same main water pipe 50. By setting multiple water collection tanks 32, the total collection capacity of rainwater and cleaning wastewater is significantly increased. A decentralized layout (such as setting water collection tanks 32 in different photovoltaic panel 11 array areas) can be adopted, shortening pipeline length, reducing leakage losses during water transport, and improving collection efficiency. For example, in a large-scale photovoltaic power station containing ten photovoltaic panel 11 arrays, if each array is equipped with a water collection tank 32, compared to a single large water collection tank 32, not only can the total collection capacity be expanded as needed, but the problem of the entire collection system failing due to the failure of a single water collection tank 32 can also be avoided. Meanwhile, the design of the first water pump 42 being connected to at least two water collection tanks 32 enables the coordinated scheduling of water resources across multiple collection tanks 32. When the water level in a certain area of the collection tank 32 is high, the pumps prioritize drawing water from that area, preventing overflow and waste, and ensuring that every unit of recycled water is fully utilized. Multiple first water pumps 42 are connected to the water tower 41 via the same main water pipe 50, allowing for flexible adjustment of the number of operating pumps according to actual needs, ensuring stable and efficient water supply. When the water level in water tower 41 is low and needs to be replenished quickly, all first water pumps 42 can be started to supply water to water tower 41 through the main water pipe 50, greatly improving the water replenishment efficiency. When the water level in water tower 41 is sufficient and only basic reserves need to be maintained, only some first water pumps 42 can be started to reduce energy consumption. If photovoltaic panels 11 in a certain area need to be cleaned urgently and the water level in water tower 41 is not replenished, multiple water pumps can work together to quickly draw water resources from multiple water collection tanks 32 and transport them to the cleaning pipeline 21 through the main water pipe 50 to achieve emergency water supply. This ensures continuous water supply for large-scale cleaning and avoids energy waste caused by the full-load operation of a single water pump, thus improving the economic efficiency of system operation.
[0045] Furthermore, the design of multiple primary water pumps 42 connected to the water tower 41 via the same main water pipe 50 avoids the need to lay separate pipes to the water tower 41 for each pump, significantly reducing pipe material usage and simplifying the pipeline layout. The main water pipe 50 can be laid along the main road of the power station, with each pump connected to the main water pipe 50 via branch pipes. This not only reduces construction difficulty and costs but also facilitates subsequent unified maintenance. When a pipeline malfunctions, the faulty section of the main water pipe 50 or branch pipe can be quickly located without having to check multiple independent pipelines one by one, reducing maintenance workload and downtime.
[0046] In some embodiments, the water tower 41 includes a water storage tank covered with an insulation layer. This effectively reduces heat exchange between the water inside the tank and the external environment, maintaining the water temperature above freezing and preventing freezing. For example, in arid and water-scarce areas of Northwest my country, the lowest winter temperature can reach -20°C. Water in storage tanks without insulation is prone to freezing, leading to the paralysis of the entire water supply system. However, with an insulation layer (such as polyurethane insulation), the insulation layer can block the intrusion of cold air, maintaining the water temperature inside the tank above 0°C, ensuring normal water flow and guaranteeing the normal operation of photovoltaic panel cleaning in winter. Simultaneously, the anti-freeze design prevents damage to the storage tank and pipelines due to freezing expansion, reducing equipment maintenance costs and improving the system's adaptability in cold regions. Furthermore, the insulation layer also provides thermal insulation, blocking heat generated by direct sunlight from entering the storage tank, reducing the rise in water temperature inside the tank, and thus reducing evaporation losses.
[0047] Furthermore, water storage tanks are exposed to the external environment for extended periods, subject to natural factors such as ultraviolet radiation, wind and sand erosion, and sudden temperature changes. This leads to accelerated aging and corrosion of the tank materials, shortening their service life. The insulation layer provides physical protection for the water storage tank: on the one hand, it blocks direct ultraviolet radiation, preventing the plastic or metal materials of the tank from aging and becoming brittle; on the other hand, it reduces abrasion of the tank surface by wind and sand, while also isolating corrosive gases in the air (such as salt dust that may be present in arid regions), reducing the risk of tank corrosion and improving the long-term economic efficiency and sustainable operation of the system.
[0048] In some embodiments, the collection component 30 further includes a water purification component, which includes a purification tank and a purification valve disposed on the purification tank. The water purification substances in the purification tank can enter the water storage tank of the water tower 41 through the purification valve. Salt and corrosive substances in the recycled water can corrode metal components such as pump impellers, valve cores, and pipes, accelerating equipment aging. Fine impurities can wear down pump impellers, clog valves and nozzles, increasing the probability of equipment failure and maintenance costs. Water stored in the water tower 41 for extended periods can produce harmful substances such as microorganisms, which can cause vegetation death when used to irrigate the vegetation at the bottom of the photovoltaic panel 11. The purification function removes corrosive substances and fine impurities from the water, reducing water corrosivity, protecting the safe operation of core equipment, and improving the reliability of vegetation irrigation.
[0049] The purification tank can hold targeted purification substances (such as activated carbon to adsorb oil, filter membranes to intercept fine impurities, and disinfectants to kill microorganisms). The amount and timing of the purification substances are controlled by the purification valve to achieve deep purification of the recycled water.
[0050] By installing purification valves, the purification process can be precisely controlled. The dosage of purification materials can be adjusted according to water quality and actual needs, avoiding cost waste caused by over-purification. Purification materials (such as activated carbon and filter membranes) are consumables, and their replacement costs are an important part of the system's operating costs. Flexible control of the dosage can effectively optimize costs.
[0051] Water quality sensors can be added to the purification tank or storage tank to monitor water quality parameters (such as turbidity, salinity, and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)) in real time. When the water quality meets the standards, the purification valve is closed, and the addition of purification substances is stopped. When the water quality exceeds the standards, the purification valve is opened, and the valve opening is adjusted according to the degree of exceedance to control the dosage. For example, rainwater collected after rainfall has good water quality, so the purification valve can be closed; cleaning wastewater, due to its high content of pollutants, has poor water quality, so the purification valve can be opened and the opening increased to ensure purification effectiveness. This approach minimizes the consumption of purification substances and optimizes operating costs while ensuring water quality meets standards.
[0052] The control component can automatically control the opening and closing of the purification valves based on data from water quality sensors, eliminating the need for manual intervention. Simultaneously, it can monitor the operating status of the purification components in real time via a remote terminal (e.g., remaining purification material and water quality compliance). When the purification material is depleted or the water quality is abnormal, it automatically issues an alarm signal to alert maintenance personnel for timely handling, significantly reducing the workload of manual inspections. This is particularly suitable for the maintenance needs of photovoltaic power stations in remote areas, lowering labor costs. Furthermore, it ensures that the purification process is always in optimal condition, avoiding water quality substandard issues caused by human error, further improving the system's operational stability and reliability.
[0053] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the appended claims.
[0054] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A photovoltaic panel cleaning system, characterized in that, include: A photovoltaic module, comprising a support frame and multiple photovoltaic panels, wherein the photovoltaic panels are mounted on the support frame; A cleaning assembly, comprising a cleaning pipeline and a plurality of cleaning nozzles, wherein the plurality of cleaning nozzles are connected to the cleaning pipeline and the cleaning nozzles are configured to spray and clean the photovoltaic panel. A collection component, comprising a water collection tank and a water collection container, wherein the water collection tank is located at the photovoltaic panel and configured to collect water from the photovoltaic panel, and the water collection container is used to store the water collected by the water collection tank; A water supply assembly includes a water tower, a first water pump, a pumping pipeline, a supply pipeline, and a second water pump. The water tower is connected to a water collection tank via the pumping pipeline. The first water pump is configured to pump water from the water collection tank to the water tower via the pumping pipeline. The water tower is connected to a cleaning pipeline via the supply pipeline. The second water pump is configured to pump water from the water tower to the cleaning pipeline via the supply pipeline to supply water to the cleaning nozzles. The operating voltage of the second water pump is greater than that of the first water pump, the flow rate of the second water pump is greater than that of the first water pump, and the head of the first water pump is greater than that of the second water pump.
2. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The photovoltaic panel cleaning system also includes: The main water pipe is shared by the water supply pipeline and the water pumping pipeline. A first valve assembly has a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening. The first opening is connected to one end of the main water pipe, the second opening is connected to the water collection tank through the first water pump, and the third opening is connected to the cleaning pipeline. The first valve assembly is configured to open or close the first opening and the second opening, open or close the first opening and the third opening, and open or close the second opening and the third opening. The second valve assembly has a fourth opening, a fifth opening, and a sixth opening. The fourth opening is connected to the other end of the main water pipe, the fifth opening is connected to the water tower, and the sixth opening is connected to the water tower via the second water pump. The second valve assembly is configured to open or close the fourth opening and the fifth opening, and to open or close the fourth opening and the sixth opening.
3. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first valve group includes a first valve, a second valve, and a third valve. The first valve is located between the first opening and the second opening and is capable of opening or blocking the connection between the first opening and the second opening. The second valve is located between the first opening and the third opening and is capable of opening or blocking the connection between the first opening and the third opening. The third valve is located between the second opening and the third opening and is capable of opening or blocking the connection between the second opening and the third opening. The second valve group includes a fourth valve and a fifth valve. The fourth valve is located between the fourth opening and the fifth opening and is capable of opening or blocking the fourth opening and the fifth opening. The fifth valve is located between the fourth opening and the sixth opening and is capable of opening or blocking the fourth opening and the sixth opening.
4. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first valve, the second valve, the third valve, the fourth valve, and the fifth valve are all electric valves. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system also includes: A control component, connected to the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, the fourth valve, and the fifth valve, and configured to control the on / off states of the first valve, the second valve, the third valve, the fourth valve, and the fifth valve; The control component is also connected to the first water pump and the second water pump, and is configured to control the on / off state of the first water pump and the second water pump; The control component is configured to control the first valve group and the second valve group to switch to at least one of the following operating modes: The first opening and the second opening of the first valve group are connected, the fourth opening and the fifth opening of the second valve group are connected, other passages are closed, the first water pump is started, and the water in the water collection tank is circulated through the water tower, and the water tower settles the impurities in the water in a circulatory sedimentation mode. The second and third openings of the first valve group are connected, the fourth and sixth openings of the second valve group are connected, other passages are closed, the second water pump is started, and the water in the collection tank enters the cleaning pipeline directly for cleaning without passing through the water tower in the bypass direct spray mode. Connect the first opening to the second opening, the first opening to the third opening, and the fourth opening to the sixth opening to start the combined water supply mode in which the first water pump and the second water pump operate in parallel.
5. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The water supply assembly also includes a gravity flow pipeline, one end of which is connected to the upper middle part of the water tower, and the other end is connected to the cleaning pipeline. The gravity flow pipeline is equipped with a gravity flow regulating valve; The self-flow regulating valve is connected to the control component, which is configured to perform at least one of the following modes: When the water level in the water tower is higher than the preset value, the second water pump is turned off and the self-flow regulating valve is turned on, using the high potential energy of the water tower for low-pressure gravity cleaning in an energy-saving mode. Close the self-flow regulating valve and turn on the second water pump to perform a high-pressure cleaning mode.
6. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The photovoltaic panel cleaning system also includes an ambient temperature sensor and a photovoltaic panel temperature sensor, both of which are connected to the control component. The control component is also configured to: When the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature sensor is lower than the first temperature threshold, the first water pump is started to transport the water in the water collection tank to the water tower, and the water in the water tower is used to clean the photovoltaic panel through the water supply pipeline and the cleaning nozzle. Before the cleaning starts, the first water pump and the second water pump are controlled to run at a preset low frequency for a first time to keep the water in the water supply pipeline flowing to prevent freezing. When the ambient temperature rises above the first temperature threshold and remains above it for a second duration, the anti-freezing cleaning mode is stopped and the system returns to normal operation mode. When the photovoltaic panel temperature sensor detects that the photovoltaic panel temperature is higher than the second temperature threshold, it automatically switches to the high-power mode and increases the frequency of the second water pump to increase the cleaning water flow rate, thereby cooling and cleaning the photovoltaic panel. When the ambient temperature is below freezing and the system is in standby mode, the first and second water pumps are started at low frequency at regular intervals to circulate water in the collection tank, water tower and pipelines to prevent the system from freezing.
7. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inlet of the first water pump is connected to the water collection tank through the pumping pipeline, and the outlet of the first water pump is connected to a three-way valve. The first outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the water tower through the pumping pipeline, and the second outlet of the three-way valve is connected to the cleaning pipeline through the outlet pipeline to supply water to the cleaning nozzle.
8. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water collection tank has a water outlet on its side wall. The height of the water outlet is 30% to 35% of the depth of the water collection tank. The water outlet is connected to the inlet of the first water pump. The bottom of the water collection tank is also equipped with an electric drain valve that is linked to the first water pump; when the first water pump starts, the electric drain valve is opened first to pre-drain for a first time, and then water is pumped through the outlet hole.
9. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection assembly includes a plurality of the water collection tanks, and the first water pump is connected to at least two of the water collection tanks; The pumping pipeline includes a main water pipe, and multiple first water pumps are connected to the water tower through the same main water pipe; The water tower includes a water storage tank, which is covered with an insulation layer.
10. The photovoltaic panel cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection assembly also includes a water purification assembly, which includes a purification tank and a purification valve on the purification tank. The water purification substance in the purification tank can enter the water storage tank of the water tower through the purification valve.