Self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device and method

Abstract

The present application discloses a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device and method, wherein the device includes: a power module for providing a DC high voltage; a solar panel as a lower electrode, the electrode inside the solar panel is connected to one end of the power module; an upper electrode, the upper electrode is arranged above the solar panel at a preset interval, and is connected to the other end of the power module to form a capacitor with the solar panel, and the non-uniform electric field between the upper electrode and the solar panel is used to polarize the dust on the solar panel, and under the action of the non-uniform electric field, the dielectric electrophoresis force is applied, so that the polarized dust is separated from the surface of the solar panel, and the electrostatic dust removal task of the solar panel is completed in combination with the action of gravity. As a result, solar panel dust removal can be achieved without consuming water, relying on manpower, or adding anything to the solar panel, and there is no requirement for humidity, and the applicable environment is wide, the power supply circuit is simple, the power consumption is low, and the cost is low.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of electrostatic dust removal, and in particular to a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device and method. Background Art

[0002] Solar energy is an important renewable energy source. With the help of my country's powerful photovoltaic industry, photovoltaic power generation has been widely used around the world. However, large photovoltaic power stations are often built in areas dominated by deserts, Gobi and wasteland. Solar panels in these areas are easily covered with dust, which reduces the power generation efficiency.

[0003] Regular dust removal and cleaning of solar panels is necessary to ensure power generation efficiency. Currently, clean fresh water is mainly used for regular cleaning. This cleaning method consumes a large amount of clean fresh water and requires a lot of labor.

[0004] Electrostatic dust removal is a technology that charges dust in a high-voltage electric field and removes it under the action of the electric field force. It can be used to clean solar panels. Currently, there are three types of technical solutions for using static electricity to remove dust from solar panels:

[0005] (1) A solution using high-voltage direct current electrostatic dust removal proposed by a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A transparent electrode (lower electrode) is placed on the solar panel, such as aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) or indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. An electrode plate (upper electrode) is placed on it at a certain distance. A direct current high voltage is applied between the upper and lower electrodes. The high-voltage electric field charges the dust on the lower electrode and removes it from the surface of the lower electrode under the action of electrostatic force. The upper electrode plate is controlled by a motor to move across the entire solar panel covered with transparent electrodes to complete dust removal. This solution requires adding transparent electrodes to the solar panel, which increases the cost of the solar panel; the moving device of the upper electrode plate increases the complexity and energy consumption of the dust removal device, making the cost higher; this solution is suitable for scenarios where the relative humidity of the environment is greater than 30%, and its scope of use is limited.

[0006] (2) A solution using high-voltage alternating current electrostatic dust removal proposed by a team from Waseda University in Japan. Parallel electrode grid lines (lower electrodes) are covered on the solar panel, and electrode grid lines (upper electrodes) are arranged at a certain interval on top of the solar panel at right angles to the lower electrode grid lines. Positive and negative high-voltage square waves with a phase difference of 180° are applied between the upper and lower electrodes, and the dust on the surface of the solar panel is removed under the action of the alternating electric field. This solution requires electrodes to be made on the solar panel, which increases the cost of the solar panel; and a complex power supply system is required to provide positive and negative high-voltage square waves with a phase difference of 180°, which increases the complexity of the equipment and has high power consumption.

[0007] (3) An electrostatic dust removal scheme based on high-voltage traveling wave dielectric electrophoresis proposed by teams from the University of Arkansas, the United States, and Waseda University, Japan. An array of parallel grid electrode covered with an insulating layer is arranged on the solar panel, and the grid electrode array is divided into groups. A traveling wave electric field is applied between the groups, and the dust on the surface of the insulating layer is removed by the dielectric electrophoresis force. This scheme requires making grid electrodes on the solar panel and covering the grid electrodes with a transparent insulating layer, which increases the cost of the solar panel; and a complex power supply system is required to provide high-voltage traveling waves, which increases the complexity of the equipment and has high power consumption. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present application provides a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device and a solar panel, which do not require water consumption, do not rely on manpower, do not require additional mobile devices, and do not need to add anything to the solar panel to achieve solar panel dust removal. It has no requirements for humidity and is applicable to a wide range of environments. It has a simple power supply circuit, low power consumption, and low cost.

[0009] The first aspect of the present application provides a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device, comprising: a power module for providing a DC high voltage; a solar panel as a lower electrode, the electrode inside the solar panel being connected to one end of the power module; an upper electrode, the upper electrode being arranged above the solar panel at a preset interval and connected to the other end of the power module to form a capacitor with the solar panel, and the non-uniform electric field generated between the capacitor and the solar panel is used to polarize the dust on the solar panel, and under the action of the non-uniform electric field, the polarized dust is subjected to the dielectric electrophoresis force, so that the polarized dust is separated from the surface of the solar panel, thereby completing the electrostatic dust removal task of the solar panel.

[0010] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the power module includes: an electrostatic generator for providing AC high voltage electricity; and a conversion module, wherein the conversion module is connected to the electrostatic generator to convert the AC high voltage output by the electrostatic generator into the DC high voltage.

[0011] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the upper electrode is a grid electrode.

[0012] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the shape of the grid electrode includes a triangle, a quadrilateral, a hexagon, or a grid bar, and the material of the grid electrode is a metal material or a carbon fiber material.

[0013] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the side length of the grid electrode ranges from 5 mm to 50 mm, and the wire diameter ranges from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0014] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the preset spacing is 1 mm to 50 mm.

[0015] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the electrostatic generator includes a rotary electrostatic generator, an in-plane / cylindrical rotary electrostatic generator, or a flag-type electrostatic generator.

[0016] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, it further includes: a voltage stabilizing module;

[0017] The voltage stabilizing module is arranged between the power module and the solar panel and the upper electrode, with one end connected to the solar panel and the other end connected to the upper electrode to ensure that the voltage of the power module does not exceed the set value.

[0018] Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the conversion module is a voltage doubler rectifier circuit or a half-bridge rectifier circuit.

[0019] The second aspect of the present application provides a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal method, and the self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device described in the above embodiment includes the following steps: setting an upper electrode above the solar panel at a preset interval; connecting the upper electrode and the electrode inside the solar panel to a power module; forming a capacitor through the upper electrode and the solar panel, and utilizing the non-uniform electric field generated between the capacitor and the solar panel to polarize the dust on the solar panel, and under the action of the non-uniform electric field, the polarized dust is subjected to the dielectric electrophoresis force, so that the polarized dust is separated from the surface of the solar panel, thereby completing the electrostatic dust removal task of the solar panel.

[0020] The self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device and method of the embodiment of the present application have the advantages of not consuming water and not relying on manpower, which solves the problems of large water consumption and high labor costs in the solution of using clean fresh water for cleaning; it has the advantages of not requiring additional mobile devices, having no requirements for humidity, and being applicable to a wide range of environments, which solves the problems of complex upper electrode moving devices and limited applicable range of environmental humidity in the solution of using high-voltage direct current for cleaning solar panels; it has the advantages of not requiring anything to be added to the solar panel, and having a simple power supply circuit, low power consumption, and low cost, which solves the problems of needing to add additional electrodes to the solar panel and requiring a complex and energy-intensive power supply system in the solution of using high-voltage alternating current and traveling wave dielectric electrophoresis.

[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become apparent from the description below, or will be learned through the practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the structure of a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the specific structure of a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a dust removal principle provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 4 A structural diagram of a grid electrode provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 6 A structural diagram of a rotary electrostatic generator provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure and connection of a solar panel provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 8 The present invention is a flow chart of a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal method provided according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to be used to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limiting the present application.

[0032] Specifically, Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, the self-powered solar panel electrostatic precipitator 10 includes: a power module 100, a solar panel 200 as a lower electrode, and an upper electrode 300.

[0034] The power module 100 is used to provide a DC high voltage. The electrode inside the solar panel 200 is connected to one end of the power module 100. The upper electrode 300 is arranged above the solar panel 200 at a preset interval and is connected to the other end of the power module 100 to form a capacitor with the solar panel 200. The non-uniform electric field generated between the capacitor and the solar panel 200 is used to polarize the dust on the solar panel 200, and the polarized dust is separated from the surface of the solar panel 200 by the dielectric electrophoresis force under the action of the non-uniform electric field, thereby completing the electrostatic dust removal task of the solar panel 200.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present application, the power module 100 can utilize any form of DC high voltage power supply. As a preferred embodiment, the power module 100 can include an electrostatic generator and a conversion module. Figure 2 As shown, the electrostatic generator is used to provide AC high voltage electricity; the conversion module is connected to the electrostatic generator to convert the AC high voltage output by the electrostatic generator into a DC high voltage.

[0036] Furthermore, the electrostatic generator is preferably a rotary electrostatic generator, which can effectively collect wind energy in the environment to achieve high voltage AC output, and the conversion module can convert the AC output of the electrostatic generator into DC high voltage. Optionally, the rotary electrostatic generator can be replaced by an electrostatic generator with any motion form, any electret material / friction material, etc., which has a high open circuit voltage output. Its motion forms include: in-plane / cylinder rotation, flag type, etc. to collect wind energy.

[0037] Therefore, self-powered by picking up ambient wind energy, no external power supply is required. The output open-circuit voltage of the electrostatic generator is not affected by the rotation speed, and high voltage output can be achieved at very low wind speeds, which is particularly suitable for the capacitive load of electrostatic dust removal. Moreover, the output current of the electrostatic generator is in the microampere level, without the risk of breakdown of the solar panel, making it possible to directly use the electrodes of the solar panel as the electrodes of the electrostatic dust removal.

[0038] Furthermore, the conversion module is a voltage multiplying rectifier circuit or a half-bridge rectifier circuit or any other circuit that can convert high voltage AC into DC high voltage. Taking the voltage multiplying rectifier circuit (VMC) as an example, the characteristics of the electrostatic generator outputting high voltage AC, combined with the voltage multiplying rectifier circuit, can easily achieve DC high voltage.

[0039] The self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device of the embodiment of the present application actually includes two parts: a power module (electrostatic generator and VMC) and a dust removal module (upper plate and lower plate). Figure 3As shown, the solar panel's own electrode is used as the lower electrode plate of the dust removal module, and a grid-shaped upper electrode is set on it at a certain interval. The high voltage of the power module is added to the capacitor formed by the upper and lower electrodes. A non-uniform electric field is formed between the grid upper electrode and the solar panel electrode, polarizing the dust on the solar panel. Under the action of the non-uniform electric field, the dust is separated from the solar panel surface and moves toward the upper electrode under the action of the dielectric electrophoresis force. Due to the certain inclination angle of the solar panel, the dust is separated from the solar panel under the action of gravity and finally falls in front of the tilted solar panel to achieve the purpose of removal. The DC high voltage voltage range is 1000V-10000V.

[0040] In the embodiment of the present application, the upper electrode is a grid electrode. Figure 4 As shown, the grid electrode can be a metal grid made of woven metal wires, with a side length L ranging from 5mm to 50mm, a wire diameter ranging from 0.1mm to 1mm, a distance g between the grid electrode and the surface of the solar panel ranging from 1mm to 50mm, and an L / g ratio ranging from 0.5 to 4.

[0041] remove Figure 4 In addition to the shapes shown, the shape of the grid electrode can be replaced by a series of shapes such as triangle, rectangle, hexagon, grid bar, etc., and its material can be metal materials such as copper, iron, aluminum, or any conductive material such as carbon fiber.

[0042] In the embodiment of the present application, the self-powered solar panel electrostatic precipitator 10 further includes: a voltage stabilizing module. The voltage stabilizing module is arranged between the power module and the solar panel and the upper electrode, one end of the voltage stabilizing module is connected to the solar panel, and the other end is connected to the upper electrode to ensure that the voltage of the power module does not exceed the set value.

[0043] Optionally, the voltage stabilizing module is a voltage stabilizing diode, and may be replaced by any form of voltage stabilizing element, or may be absent.

[0044] like Figure 5 The circuit structure of the self-powered solar panel electrostatic precipitator is shown in FIG. 1 , which is composed of a rotating electrostatic generator, a VMC, and a capacitor formed by a grid electrode and a solar panel electrode. A voltage regulator diode is provided at the output end of the VMC to ensure that the voltage does not exceed the set value, and that air breakdown does not occur, thereby protecting the solar panel. The structure of the rotating electrostatic generator can be shown as follows: Figure 6 As shown in the figure, it consists of a rotor and a stator. The rotor consists of an epoxy resin substrate and a pre-charged electret, and the stator consists of a PCB electrode plate. The open-circuit peak voltage of the generator reaches the kilovolt level, and the short-circuit current is in the microampere level.

[0045] like Figure 7 The figure shows the basic structure of the solar panel and the schematic diagram of its connection with the VMC. Applying a DC high voltage between the solar panel electrode and the grid electrode does not affect the normal operation of the solar panel.

[0046] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, the lower electrode of the solar panel is connected to the negative pole of the VMC, and the upper electrode is connected to the positive pole of the VMC. In the specific implementation process, the upper electrode and the solar panel electrode can be connected to the high voltage in reverse, and can be connected to the positive or negative pole of the solar panel.

[0047] The dust removal device of the embodiment of the present application can be used not only for solar panels, but also for dust removal of any object with electrodes or connectable conductive structures, regardless of whether the electrodes or conductive structures are exposed or have insulating layers such as plastic or ceramic on the surface.

[0048] This embodiment also provides a self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal method, using the self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device of the above embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal method includes the following steps:

[0049] Step S101, disposing upper electrodes above the solar panel at a preset interval.

[0050] Step S102, connecting the upper electrode and the electrodes inside the solar panel to the power module.

[0051] Step S103, a capacitor is formed by the upper electrode and the solar panel, and the non-uniform electric field generated between the capacitor and the solar panel is used to polarize the dust on the solar panel. Under the action of the non-uniform electric field, the polarized dust is separated from the surface of the solar panel by the dielectric electrophoresis force, thereby completing the electrostatic dust removal task of the solar panel.

[0052] The self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device and method proposed in the embodiment of the present application have the advantages of not consuming water and not relying on manpower, which solves the problems of large water consumption and high labor costs in the solution of using clean fresh water for cleaning; it has the advantages of not requiring additional mobile devices, having no requirements for humidity, and being applicable to a wide range of environments, which solves the problems of complex upper electrode moving devices and limited applicable range of environmental humidity in the solution of using high-voltage direct current for cleaning solar panels; it has the advantages of not requiring anything to be added to the solar panel, and having a simple power supply circuit, low power consumption, and low cost, which solves the problems of needing to add additional electrodes to the solar panel, and the need for a complex and energy-intensive power supply system in the solution of using high-voltage alternating current and traveling wave dielectric electrophoresis.

[0053] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or N embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0054] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of this application, "N" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

Claims

1. A self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device, characterized in that: include: A power module for providing a DC high voltage; A solar panel as a lower electrode, wherein the internal electrode of the solar panel is connected to one end of the power module, wherein the internal electrode of the solar panel includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the positive electrode or the negative electrode or the positive electrode and the negative electrode are short-circuited and connected to one end of the power module; An upper electrode is arranged above the solar panel at a preset interval and is connected to the other end of the power module to form a capacitor with the solar panel. The non-uniform electric field generated between the capacitor and the solar panel is used to polarize the dust on the solar panel. Under the action of the non-uniform electric field, the polarized dust is subjected to the dielectric electrophoresis force so that the polarized dust is separated from the surface of the solar panel, thereby completing the electrostatic dust removal task of the solar panel. The upper electrode is a grid electrode, the distance between the grid electrode and the surface of the solar panel is g, the side length of the grid electrode is L, and the range of L / g is 0.5 to 4.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The power module comprises: Electrostatic generator, used to provide AC high voltage electricity; A conversion module is connected to the electrostatic generator to convert the AC high voltage output by the electrostatic generator into the DC high voltage.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The shapes of the grid electrodes include triangle, quadrilateral, hexagon and grid bar, and the material of the grid electrodes is metal material or carbon fiber material.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The side length of the grid electrode ranges from 5mm to 50mm, and the wire diameter ranges from 0.1mm to 1mm.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The preset spacing is 1 mm to 50 mm.

6. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The electrostatic generator includes a rotary electrostatic generator, an in-plane / cylindrical rotary electrostatic generator, and a flag-type electrostatic generator.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: Voltage regulator module; The voltage stabilizing module is arranged between the power module and the solar panel and the upper electrode, with one end connected to the solar panel and the other end connected to the upper electrode to ensure that the voltage of the power module does not exceed the set value.

8. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The conversion module is a voltage doubler rectifier circuit or a half-bridge rectifier circuit.

9. A method for electrostatic dust removal of a self-powered solar panel, using the self-powered solar panel electrostatic dust removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Disposing upper electrodes above the solar panels at a predetermined spacing; Connecting the upper electrode and the electrode inside the solar panel to a power module, wherein the electrode inside the solar panel includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and connecting the positive electrode or the negative electrode or the positive electrode and the negative electrode to one end of the power module after short-circuiting; A capacitor is formed by the upper electrode and the solar panel, and the non-uniform electric field generated between the capacitor and the solar panel is used to polarize the dust on the solar panel. Under the action of the non-uniform electric field, the polarized dust is subjected to the dielectric electrophoresis force, so that the polarized dust is separated from the surface of the solar panel, thereby completing the electrostatic dust removal task of the solar panel.

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