Self-cleaning photovoltaic module system
The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, driven by rainwater harvesting and gas thermal expansion, solves the problem of reduced power generation caused by dust accumulation in photovoltaic modules, and achieves low-cost and high-efficiency automatic cleaning.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA ACADEMY OF INFORMATION & COMM
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing photovoltaic modules experience a decrease in power generation due to dust accumulation during use, and current cleaning solutions rely on external equipment, resulting in low cleaning efficiency and high costs, failing to achieve efficient and low-cost self-cleaning.
A self-cleaning photovoltaic module system was designed. It utilizes a rainwater collection device, a water storage device, and a self-driven flushing device to collect, transport, and spray rainwater using gravity and the thermal expansion properties of gases, thus automatically washing the photovoltaic panels.
It achieves self-cleaning of photovoltaic modules, reduces cleaning costs, improves cleaning efficiency, and allows all modules to be cleaned simultaneously under the same conditions.
Smart Images
Figure CN224249654U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of solar photovoltaic maintenance, and more particularly to a self-cleaning photovoltaic module system. Background Technology
[0002] After solar photovoltaic (PV) modules are installed and put into operation, dust and sand in the air can accumulate on their surfaces, directly leading to a decrease in power generation and, in severe cases, causing localized hot spots or even high-temperature burns. Solving the problem of dust accumulation on PV modules mainly involves reducing dust adhesion through the module's own materials and external cleaning, with external cleaning being the primary method. External cleaning is mainly done manually or by robots, requiring external power (electricity) to support the cleaning equipment. Furthermore, the cleaning equipment has a limited cleaning area at a time, requiring cleaning section by section, resulting in slow cleaning speed, low efficiency, and high costs. Therefore, the industry urgently needs a simple, low-cost, and efficient cleaning solution.
[0003] It should be noted that the above introduction to the technical background is only for the purpose of providing a clear and complete explanation of the technical solutions of this utility model and facilitating understanding by those skilled in the art. It should not be assumed that these technical solutions are known to those skilled in the art simply because they have been described in the background section of this utility model. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a self-cleaning photovoltaic module system that automatically collects and stores rainwater, uses solar energy to heat airbags to expand and distribute the rainwater, and uses the rainwater to automatically wash the photovoltaic panels, thereby achieving low-cost self-cleaning.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the self-cleaning photovoltaic module system provided in this application specifically includes: a photovoltaic module, a rainwater collection device, a water collection and storage device, and a self-driven flushing device; the rainwater collection device guides the collected rainwater to the water collection and storage device; the water collection and storage device includes: a low water collection bladder with a flexible wall, the water inlet of which is connected to the rainwater collection device through a first one-way valve; and a high water collection bladder with a flexible wall, the water inlet of which is connected to the low water collection bladder through a water guide pipe and a second one-way valve; the self-driven flushing device includes: a low air bladder that is attached to and deforms synchronously with the outer wall of the low water collection bladder and a high air bladder that is attached to and deforms synchronously with the outer wall of the high water collection bladder; the low air bladder and the high air bladder are encapsulated with a thermal expansion medium, the expansion-contraction process of which respectively drives the corresponding low water collection bladder and the high water collection bladder to compress and drain or expand and store water; the high water collection bladder is connected to the water distribution hole at the far end edge of the photovoltaic module through a water distribution pipe, the water distribution pipe being provided with a rainwater diversion port.
[0006] In the above-mentioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, optionally, the system further includes a guide channel, which is disposed near the ground end of the frame of the photovoltaic module and extends horizontally to the rainwater collection device.
[0007] In the aforementioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, optionally, the cross-section of the flow channel is V-shaped, and the inner surface of the channel is provided with a hydrophobic coating.
[0008] In the aforementioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, optionally, the rainwater collection device includes a rainwater collection port disposed along the end of the guide channel, a rainwater confluence port disposed on the side of the module, and a rainwater collection pipe connecting the two.
[0009] In the aforementioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, optionally, the rainwater collection device adopts a gradient flow guiding structure, with rainwater collection inlets evenly distributed along the bottom of the photovoltaic module frame, and rainwater confluence outlets located on the side of the frame and forming a downwardly inclined flow guiding channel with the rainwater collection pipe.
[0010] In the above-mentioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, optionally, the first one-way valve and the second one-way valve are gravity check valves; wherein, the opening direction of the first one-way valve is from the rainwater inlet to the low water collection bladder, and the opening direction of the second one-way valve is from the low water collection bladder to the high water collection bladder.
[0011] In the aforementioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, optionally, the low-pressure airbag is thermally coupled to the back of the photovoltaic module through a thermally conductive adhesive layer, and the surface is covered with a selective heat-absorbing coating.
[0012] In the aforementioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, optionally, the diameter of the water distribution holes gradually decreases from the center to both ends along the far-end edge of the photovoltaic module.
[0013] In the aforementioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, the aperture can optionally vary from 2mm to 5mm.
[0014] In the above-mentioned self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, optionally, the outlet end of the rainwater diversion port is connected to a water distribution branch pipe, which extends to the near-ground end of the photovoltaic module for flushing residual dust in the guide channel.
[0015] The beneficial technical effects of this application are as follows: Rainwater collection, transportation, and spraying are achieved by utilizing gravity and the thermal expansion properties of gases, thus achieving self-cleaning without requiring additional external force input; this reduces the cost of cleaning photovoltaic modules. Furthermore, all photovoltaic modules can be cleaned simultaneously under the same conditions, improving cleaning efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a self-cleaning photovoltaic module system provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a photovoltaic frame provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0019] Icon labels:
[0020] 1. Photovoltaic frame (low), 2. Rainwater collection inlet, 3. Rainwater drain, 4. Rainwater collection pipe, 5. Low-profile water collection bladder, 6. Low-profile air bladder, 7. Water pipe, 8. One-way valve, 9. Water distribution hole, 10. Water distribution pipe, 11. Rainwater diversion outlet, 12. High-profile air bladder, 13. High-profile water collection bladder, 14. Battery module Detailed Implementation
[0021] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0022] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only embodiments.
[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0024] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, the self-cleaning photovoltaic module system provided in this application specifically includes: a photovoltaic module, a rainwater collection device, a water collection and energy storage device, and a self-driven flushing device;
[0025] The rainwater collection device guides the collected rainwater to the water collection and energy storage device;
[0026] The water collection and energy storage device includes: a low water collection bladder 5 with a flexible bladder wall, the water inlet end of which is connected to the rainwater collection device through a first one-way valve; and a high water collection bladder 13 with a flexible bladder wall, the water inlet end of which is connected to the low water collection bladder 5 through a water guide pipe 7 and a second one-way valve 8.
[0027] The self-driven flushing device includes: a low airbag 6 that is attached to and deforms synchronously with the outer wall of the low water collection bag 5, and a high airbag 12 that is attached to and deforms synchronously with the outer wall of the high water collection bag 13; the low airbag 6 and the high airbag 12 are encapsulated with a thermal expansion medium, and their expansion-contraction process drives the corresponding low water collection bag 5 and high water collection bag 13 to produce compression drainage or expansion water storage deformation; the high water collection bag 13 is connected to the water distribution hole 9 at the far end edge of the photovoltaic module through a water distribution pipe 10, and the water distribution pipe 10 is provided with a rainwater diversion port.
[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in practical operation, the rainwater collection device of the self-cleaning photovoltaic module system provided in this application is installed at the photovoltaic frame 1. When it rains, due to gravity, rainwater will pass through the rainwater collection port 2 and the rainwater collection pipe 4, and then flow into the low water collection bladder 5 through the rainwater confluence port 3 for storage. Depending on the amount of rainfall, the low water collection bladder 5 will collect a portion of the rainwater or be fully filled. When it rains, the ambient temperature is low, and the low air bladder 6 is small in volume, allowing the low water collection bladder 5 to collect as much rainwater as possible. After the rain, when the weather clears up, solar radiation shines on the battery module 14, and the battery module 14 will absorb solar radiation and heat up. Since the low air bladder 6 is in close contact with the battery module 14, its temperature will also rise, causing the internal working gas pressure to increase and expand, thereby squeezing the low water collection bladder 5, allowing the rainwater inside to enter the high water collection bladder 13 through the water pipe 7 and the one-way valve 8. After a rain-sunny-rainy-sunny cycle, the high water collection bladder 13 gradually fills with rainwater. When the weather clears up, the low airbag 6 and the high airbag 12 absorb heat and expand simultaneously, compressing the rainwater inside the low water collection bag 5 and the high water collection bag 13. The rainwater is then discharged through the rainwater diversion port 11, through the water distribution pipe 10, and out of the water distribution hole 9, thus achieving the purpose of rinsing the photovoltaic modules.
[0029] In the above embodiments, the system further includes a guide channel, which is disposed near the ground end of the frame of the photovoltaic module and extends horizontally to the rainwater collection device; wherein the cross-section of the guide channel is V-shaped and the inner surface of the channel is provided with a hydrophobic coating.
[0030] Furthermore, the rainwater collection device includes a rainwater collection port 2 located at the end of the guide channel, a rainwater confluence port 3 located on the side of the module, and a rainwater collection pipe 4 connecting the two. The rainwater collection device adopts a gradient flow guiding structure, with the rainwater collection ports evenly distributed along the bottom of the photovoltaic module frame, and the rainwater confluence port located on the side of the frame, forming a downwardly sloping flow guiding channel with the rainwater collection pipe.
[0031] Specifically, in practical operation, the drainage channel is horizontally positioned near the ground end of the photovoltaic module's frame, with a V-shaped cross-section and a hydrophobic coating (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene) on its inner surface. The end of the drainage channel extends to a rainwater collection port, used to collect rainwater washed down from the photovoltaic module surface into a collection pipe. The hydrophobic coating accelerates rainwater flow and reduces dust accumulation. Rainwater collection ports are evenly distributed along the bottom of the photovoltaic module's frame, spaced 0.5-1m apart. The rainwater inlets are located on the side of the frame and connected to a low-level collection bladder via a downward-sloping rainwater collection pipe at an angle of 5°-15°, utilizing gravity for unpowered drainage. Those skilled in the art will understand that the specific parameters and shapes defined in this embodiment can be adjusted according to actual needs, and this application does not further limit them.
[0032] In one embodiment of this application, the first check valve and the second check valve are gravity check valves; wherein, the opening direction of the first check valve is from the rainwater inlet to the low water collection bladder, and the opening direction of the second check valve is from the low water collection bladder to the high water collection bladder.
[0033] Specifically, in practical operation, the low-level water collection bladder is made of elastic silicone material. Its inlet end is connected to the rainwater collection pipe via a first gravity check valve (opening direction: from the rainwater collection pipe to the low-level water collection bladder) to prevent backflow. The high-level water collection bladder is located above the low-level water collection bladder and is connected to it via a water guide pipe and a second gravity check valve (opening direction: from low to high position), utilizing the water level difference to achieve tiered rainwater transport.
[0034] The volume ratio of the low-level water collection bladder to the high-level water collection bladder can be 1:2, ensuring that the low-level bladder stores water first during continuous rainfall, and the high-level bladder is gradually filled through the water pipe to avoid overflow.
[0035] In one embodiment of this application, the low-pressure airbag is thermally coupled to the back of the photovoltaic module through a thermally conductive adhesive layer, and the surface is covered with a selective heat-absorbing coating.
[0036] Specifically, in practical applications, the low-pressure airbag is attached to the outer wall of the low-pressure water collection bag, and is encapsulated with a paraffin-based thermal expansion medium inside. Its back is bonded to the back of the photovoltaic module through a thermally conductive adhesive layer (such as silicone grease), and its surface is covered with a selective heat-absorbing coating (such as a black chrome coating) to enhance the absorption efficiency of waste heat from the photovoltaic module.
[0037] High-pressure airbag: Adhesive to the outer wall of the high-pressure water collection bag, containing the same medium as the low-pressure airbag, it expands under natural sunlight. When the photovoltaic module temperature rises, the medium inside the airbag expands, pushing the water collection bag to compress and drain water; at night, when the temperature drops, the airbag contracts, and the water collection bag expands to store water. The drainage from the low-pressure water collection bag is supplied to the high-pressure water collection bag through a water pipe, while the drainage from the high-pressure water collection bag is transported to the far end of the photovoltaic module through a water distribution pipe.
[0038] In one embodiment of this application, the diameter of the water distribution hole gradually decreases from the center to both ends along the far edge of the photovoltaic module, with the diameter varying from 2mm to 5mm.
[0039] In another embodiment, the outlet end of the rainwater diversion inlet is connected to a branch pipe, which extends to the near-ground end of the photovoltaic module for flushing residual dust in the guide channel.
[0040] Specifically, in practical operation, the water distribution holes are distributed along the far-ground edge of the photovoltaic module, with the hole diameter gradually decreasing from 5mm to 2mm from the center to both ends, forming a spray pattern with a high flow rate in the middle and a low flow rate at both ends, adapting to the cleaning needs of the module surface; the water distribution branch pipe connects to the rainwater diversion port of the water distribution pipe, extending to the near-ground end of the photovoltaic module, and is used to flush residual dust in the guide channel, forming a closed-loop cleaning cycle. Those skilled in the art will understand that the specific parameters and shapes defined in this embodiment can be selected and adjusted according to actual needs, and this application does not further limit them here.
[0041] Based on the self-cleaning photovoltaic module system provided in this application, during rainfall, rainwater flows along the surface of the photovoltaic module into the guide channel, and is then transported to the low-level water collection bladder via the rainwater collection port, the confluence port, and the pipeline. The first one-way valve opens under the action of gravity, and rainwater continuously fills the low-level bladder.
[0042] When the temperature of the photovoltaic module rises during the day, the low air bladder absorbs heat and expands, compressing the low water collection bladder. The rainwater inside is then transported to the high water collection bladder through the water pipe. The second one-way valve prevents backflow. The high air bladder expands simultaneously due to heat, pushing the high water collection bladder to compress. Rainwater is then sprayed out from the water distribution hole through the water distribution pipe, forming a uniform water curtain to clean the surface of the module. Some of the rainwater flows back to the near-ground end of the guide channel through the water distribution branch pipe, flushing away the dust accumulated in the channel.
[0043] As the temperature drops at night, the air bladder contracts and the water collection bladder expands to store water, preparing for the cleaning cycle the next day.
[0044] The beneficial technical effects of this application are as follows: Rainwater collection, transportation, and spraying are achieved by utilizing gravity and the thermal expansion properties of gases, thus achieving self-cleaning without requiring additional external force input; this reduces the cost of cleaning photovoltaic modules. Furthermore, all photovoltaic modules can be cleaned simultaneously under the same conditions, improving cleaning efficiency.
[0045] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this utility model. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.
Claims
1. A self-cleaning photovoltaic module system, characterized in that, Includes: photovoltaic modules, rainwater harvesting devices, water storage devices, and self-driving flushing devices; The rainwater collection device guides the collected rainwater to the water collection and energy storage device; The water collection and energy storage device includes: a low water collection bladder with a flexible bladder wall, the water inlet of which is connected to the rainwater collection device through a first one-way valve; and a high water collection bladder with a flexible bladder wall, the water inlet of which is connected to the low water collection bladder through a water guide pipe and a second one-way valve. The self-driven flushing device includes: a low airbag that is attached to and deforms synchronously with the outer wall of the low water collection bag, and a high airbag that is attached to and deforms synchronously with the outer wall of the high water collection bag; the low airbag and the high airbag are encapsulated with a thermal expansion medium, and their expansion-contraction process drives the corresponding low water collection bag and the high water collection bag to produce compression drainage or expansion water storage deformation; the high water collection bag is connected to the water distribution hole at the far end edge of the photovoltaic module through a water distribution pipe, and the water distribution pipe is provided with rainwater diversion outlet.
2. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a guide channel disposed near the ground end of the frame of the photovoltaic module and extending horizontally to the rainwater collection device.
3. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cross-section of the flow channel is V-shaped, and the inner surface of the channel is provided with a hydrophobic coating.
4. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rainwater collection device includes a rainwater collection port located at the end of the guide channel, a rainwater confluence port located on the side of the component, and a rainwater collection pipe connecting the two.
5. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The rainwater collection device adopts a gradient flow guiding structure. The rainwater collection inlets are evenly distributed along the bottom of the photovoltaic module frame, and the rainwater confluence outlet is located on the side of the frame and forms a downward-sloping flow guiding channel with the rainwater collection pipe.
6. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first check valve and the second check valve are gravity check valves; wherein, the opening direction of the first check valve is from the rainwater inlet to the low water collection bladder, and the opening direction of the second check valve is from the low water collection bladder to the high water collection bladder.
7. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The low-pressure airbag is thermally coupled to the back of the photovoltaic module through a thermally conductive adhesive layer, and its surface is covered with a selective heat-absorbing coating.
8. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the water distribution holes gradually decreases from the center to both ends along the far-ground edge of the photovoltaic module.
9. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The aperture range is 2mm-5mm.
10. The self-cleaning photovoltaic module system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outlet end of the rainwater diversion inlet is connected to a branch pipe, which extends to the near-ground end of the photovoltaic module to flush away residual dust in the guide channel.