Cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels, which, being mountable on the frame of the supporting structure of an array of photovoltaic solar panels, is characterised by comprising a pair of lateral guides which are longer than the supporting frame of said panels, defining a base space in which the equipment rests when not in operation without casting a shadow over the array of solar panels to be cleaned, on which guides a motorised structure can be moved, on which photovoltaic solar panels are installed, which supply power via the corresponding adaptation and control electronics to batteries or accumulators.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels.

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention relates to an automatic and autonomous system for cleaning solar panels.

[0005] This system uses rotating cleaning rollers that can operate in parallel with compressed air, supplied by a pair of compressed air pipes or tanks. The rollers travel the length of the solar panels, and the system is completely self-sufficient thanks to integrated batteries and a charging system powered by its own solar panels. Furthermore, the system is adaptable to solar panels with any tilt angle.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to offer the photovoltaic solar panel sector an autonomous, versatile cleaning system, capable of working with pressurized air, adaptable to all types of solar panels and their inclination, which minimizes the need for human intervention and consequently reduces operating costs.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] As is known, in the practical application of the invention, the efficiency of solar panels can be significantly reduced by the accumulation of dirt and dust.

[0009] In this sense, manual cleaning methods are laborious and costly, especially when it comes to large facilities.

[0010] Automated solutions exist, but many rely on connections to the electrical grid, which may not be practical in remote locations.

[0011] Furthermore, not all systems are effective on solar panels with different tilt angles. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels proposed by the invention fully and satisfactorily solves the problem previously described in each and every one of the aspects discussed.

[0013] To this end, and starting from the conventional structuring of a set of solar panels, which are integrated into a support structure, the invention consists of a pair of lateral guides that are fixed to said structure or frame and that extend beyond its length, to define an inoperative space in which the equipment does not generate shadows on the solar panels, guides along which a motorized structure is movable in which at least one alignment of rotating rollers is integrated and arranged transversely to the panels to be cleaned, rollers that are driven by an electric motor duly governed by a control electronics, establishing a second motor also associated with said electronics, responsible for the displacement of the device along the aforementioned guides.

[0014] The motorized structure includes its own photovoltaic solar panels and batteries that offer the system full autonomy, without reducing the effectiveness (electrical consumption) of the photovoltaic solar panel structure on which it is installed.

[0015] As for the rotating cleaning rollers, they will be equipped with bristles designed to remove dirt from the panels.

[0016] These are able to adapt to different sizes and arrangements of solar panels, regardless of their inclination.

[0017] The rollers are complemented by an inverted "U" shaped channel, positioned above them, which protects the rollers from the sun, extending their lifespan, and which are terminated at both ends in two pipes equipped with pressurized air propulsion nozzles, fed by a compressor-boiler assembly established in the motorized structure itself, a compressor that is powered by the solar panel of this device, thus achieving total autonomy of the assembly.

[0018] As for the motorized movement system of the device, it will be able to travel the length of the solar panels, as well as the additional space provided for its placement in an inoperative state without generating any type of shadow on the panels to be cleaned.

[0019] The system can be disconnected using a manually operated lever, in order to move the assembly freely for maintenance.

[0020] This system will include navigation and positioning sensors to avoid obstacles and optimize cleaning.

[0021] The device is complemented by a control panel that allows for programming cleaning cycles and system monitoring. It includes manual and automatic operating modes. Based on this structure, the system functions as follows:

[0022] Start of Cleaning Cycle:

[0023] The system is activated at pre-set times, either by clock-controlled programming, by a light photocell, or by a push button in case of mud rain.

[0024] Displacement and Cleaning:

[0025] Rotating rollers move along the solar panels. During this movement, pressurized air is applied to clean the surface of the panels.

[0026] Refilling and Maintenance:

[0027] At the end of the cleaning cycle, the system returns to its base area where it does not cast shadows on the cleaned panels.

[0028] The batteries are recharged using energy from their own solar panels.

[0029] The system described above offers the following advantages:

[0030] • Energy Autonomy: The equipment does not require a connection to the electrical grid, making it ideal for remote locations.

[0031] • Adaptability: Efficient in cleaning solar panels with any type of tilt.

[0032] • Cost Reduction: Minimizes the need for human intervention and reduces operating costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] To complement the description that follows and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0034] Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels made in accordance with the object of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1, but in which the device appears in an opposite displacement position to that shown in Figure 1.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a side perspective view of the assembly in Figure 1.

[0037] Figure 4 shows a detail of the system of the invention at the level of the rotating cleaning rollers.

[0038] Figure 5 shows, finally, a profile and sectional view of the motorized structure shown in Figure 3.

[0039] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0040] In view of the figures described, it can be observed how the device of the invention is applicable on the frame of the supporting structure of a set of photovoltaic solar panels (1), having lateral guides (2) that have a greater length than said frame, in order to define a base space in which the equipment rests in an inoperative state without generating shade on the set of solar panels to be cleaned.

[0041] Well, on the side guides (2) a motorized structure (3) is movable, in which transverse bars (4) are defined reinforced with a lattice structure (4') that are arranged parallel to the plates to be cleaned, on which small photovoltaic solar panels (5) are installed that feed through the corresponding adaptation and control electronics in which a current regulator (6), a control board (6') and batteries (6") or accumulators participate and which are intended to feed a pair of electric motors (7) arranged on the sides of the structure.

[0042] One of these motors is responsible for moving the assembly along the side guides (2), by means of wheels (8), while the second electric motor drives through a toothed belt at least one alignment of cleaning rollers (9) that will act tangentially to the photovoltaic solar panels to be cleaned in the controlled movement of the device along the side guides (2).

[0043] The rollers are complemented by an inverted U-shaped channel (10) positioned above them, which protects the rollers from the sun, extending their lifespan. Two pipes (12) equipped with pressurized air nozzles (13) will be mounted along the front and rear edges of this channel. These pipes are fed by a compressor assembly (15) and its corresponding air chambers (14), located on the motorized structure itself. This compressor is powered by the photovoltaic solar panels (5) associated with this mobile structure.

[0044] As previously stated, the system can be disconnected by means of a manually operated lever (11), in order to be able to move the assembly freely for maintenance.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the device is complemented by a control panel that allows programming of cleaning cycles and system monitoring, including manual and automatic operating modes.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 a - A cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels, applicable to the frame of the supporting structure of a set of photovoltaic solar panels (1), is characterized by being constituted from a pair of lateral guides (2) that have a greater length than the supporting frame of said panels, defining a base space in which the equipment rests in an inoperative state without generating shadow on the set of solar panels to be cleaned, guides along which a motorized structure (3) is displaced, on which photovoltaic solar panels (5) are installed that feed through the corresponding adaptation and control electronics to batteries (6) or accumulators that in turn feed a pair of electric motors (7) arranged on the sides of the structure, a first motor associated with means for moving the assembly along the lateral guides (2), and a second electric motor that drives at least one alignment of cleaning rollers (9) arranged tangentially to the photovoltaic solar panels (1) to be cleaned in the controlled displacement of the device along the lateral guides (2), rollers that are complemented by a channel (10) in the shape of an inverted “U”, arranged above them, the motorized structure (3) including at least one pipe (12) provided with nozzles (13) for propelling pressurized air onto the panels to be cleaned, pipe (12) fed by a compressor (15)-tank (14) assembly also established on the motorized structure (3). 2 a - Cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels, according to claim 1 a where the system is complemented by a control panel equipped with means for programming the cleaning cycles and monitoring the system, including manual and automatic operating modes. 3 a- Cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels, according to claim 1 a , where in the motorized structure (3) transverse bars (4) reinforced with a lattice structure (4') participate, which are arranged parallel to the plates to be cleaned. 4 a - Cleaning system for photovoltaic solar panels, according to claim 1 a , wherein the means of displacement of the system along the side guides (2) include a manual operating lever (11) for releasing said means.

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