Citrus-Based Cleaning Formulation for Solar Panel Hydrophobicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning solutions for solar panels and similar surfaces are ineffective in preventing dust, dirt, and grime accumulation, often using harsh chemicals that can damage surfaces and fail to maintain a hydrophobic condition, leading to reduced efficiency and environmental harm.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning formulation comprising citrus-based compounds, primary and secondary nonionic surfactants, wetting agents, and an environmental impurity resistance mixture with cationic and anionic emulsifiers, quaternary ammonium compounds, and siloxanes, which effectively removes soil and imparts hydrophobic properties to surfaces, reducing streaking and filming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If harsh chemicals are used to clean solar panels, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but surface damage and environmental harm occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsurface damage and environmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning formulation by using mild surfactants, citrus-based compounds, and natural emulsifiers instead of harsh chemicals. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness while eliminating surface damage and environmental harm, resolving the contradiction between cleaning productivity and harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the natural oils and waxes present on solar panel surfaces, which normally attract dust and reduce efficiency, into beneficial components by using citrus-based compounds and natural emulsifiers that clean without damaging the surface. This transforms the previously harmful presence of organic compounds into a beneficial cleaning mechanism that protects the surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If frequent cleaning is performed to maintain panel efficiency, then electrical output is improved, but time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical outputVSAvoidcleaning frequency and resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a hydrophobic treatment to the solar panel surface before cleaning operations. This preliminary action creates a water-repelling surface that prevents dust and grime accumulation, reducing the frequency of cleaning operations needed to maintain electrical output and thereby reducing time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobic treatment enables the solar panel surface to self-clean by causing water and dust to bead up and roll off the surface. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for frequent manual cleaning operations, maintaining panel efficiency while reducing time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If conventional cleaners are used to remove dust and grime, then soil removal is improved, but hydrophobic surface properties are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil removalVSAvoidhydrophobic surface properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition of the cleaner by using mild surfactants and natural emulsifiers that remove soil without stripping the hydrophobic surface treatment. This parameter change allows soil removal while maintaining the stability of the hydrophobic surface properties, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and surface property stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The formulation significantly improves soil removal and long-term cleanliness of surfaces, preventing dust and grime accumulation while being environmentally friendly and safe for various substrates, enhancing their hydrophobicity and maintaining efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

effective amounts of surfactants selected from primary and secondary nonionic surfactants and co-surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

effective amounts of wetting agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 3

an environmental impurity resistance mixture comprising of an effective amount of cationic emulsifiers and anionic emulsifiers... an effective amount of siloxanes... an effective amount of quaternary ammonium compounds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobe: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS10005983B2Cleaning formulations and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2018.06.26 CHOW REUBEN H

AI summary

Cleaning formulations and methods of use thereof are described. Embodiments of the cleaning formulation comprise (a) an effective amount of citrus based compounds and mixtures thereof; (b) an effective amount of a surfactant selected from primary and secondary nonionic surfactants, co-surfactants and mixtures thereof; (c) an effective amount of a wetting agent; (d) an effective amount of an emulsifier; and (e) optimally, an effective amount of an environmental impurity resistance mixture with an effective amount of soy bean, palm and coconut derived surfactants. Embodiments are particularly effective, mild and non-hazardous for cleaning solar panels, glass, glass composites, polymers and the like.