Photovoltaic panel cleaning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional PV panel cleaning methods are energy intensive, labor-intensive, environmentally detrimental, and inefficient, often using liquids that can freeze and damage components, leading to energy loss and warranty voidance.
Innovation Solution
A modular PV panel cleaning system utilizing pressurized air, linear actuators, and a panel-cleaning device with nozzles and a wiper blade, operated by a programmable controller, which scans and detects debris to optimize cleaning without rotating parts or liquids, allowing PV panels to generate additional energy to power the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods using liquids (water, detergent) are employed, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and environmental harm occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid-based mechanical cleaning systems with a pneumatic system using compressed air. The compressed air is directed through nozzles onto the PV panels to remove debris, eliminating the need for water and detergent while reducing energy consumption and environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by storing compressed air in a tank and releasing it through controlled nozzles to clean the PV panels. This pneumatic approach substitutes the hydraulic/liquid-based conventional cleaning methods, achieving effective cleaning with lower energy input and no environmental contamination.
2Reliability
If liquid cleaning agents are used, then cleaning performance is enhanced, but component damage and warranty voidance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes liquid-based cleaning mechanisms with a dry pneumatic system. Compressed air is directed through nozzles to dislodge and remove debris from PV panels without using water or detergent, thereby preventing freezing damage, electrical hazards, and warranty voidance while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful liquid cleaning agents from the cleaning process. By using only compressed air to remove debris, the system takes out the source of potential damage (water and chemicals) while preserving the cleaning function.
3Ease of operation
If manual cleaning is performed, then labor flexibility is maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated system where compressed air from a storage tank automatically cleans the PV panels without requiring manual intervention. The system can be triggered by sensors detecting debris or operated on a scheduled basis, eliminating labor-intensive manual cleaning while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic automated cleaning cycles, where the compressed air system is activated at predetermined intervals or when sensors detect the need for cleaning. This periodic automation maintains labor flexibility while dramatically improving cleaning efficiency and reducing time consumption compared to continuous manual cleaning.
4Area of stationary object
If conventional cleaning systems with rotating parts are used, then cleaning coverage is improved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes all rotating mechanical parts from the cleaning system. Instead of using rotating brushes or wheels to achieve cleaning coverage, the invention uses directed compressed air streams from stationary nozzles to remove debris, thereby eliminating maintenance requirements while maintaining effective cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes mechanical rotating cleaning systems with a pneumatic system. Stationary nozzles directed at the PV panels use compressed air to achieve cleaning coverage without any rotating components, significantly reducing maintenance needs while preserving cleaning effectiveness.
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 system achieves net energy gain, reduces maintenance needs, and avoids using water, thus preventing component damage and warranty issues, while being environmentally friendly and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a storage tank containing pressurized air, first and second linear actuators, and a panel-cleaning device wherein the pressurized air contained in the storage tank operates the first and second actuators and the panel-cleaning device
Implementation Method 2
the panel-cleaning device includes one or more nozzles and a wiper blade to clean PV panels
Implementation Method 3
sensors associated with the first and second actuators and panel-cleaning device and configured to scan and detect fluid and debris on the PV panels to be removed
Implementation Method 4
Photovoltaic solar panels use sunlight as a source of energy to generate electricity
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the present invention, a panel cleaning system is provided. In one aspect, the panel cleaning system includes a storage tank containing pressurized air, first and second linear actuators, and a panel-cleaning device wherein the pressurized air contained in the storage tank operates the first and second actuators and the panel-cleaning device to clean PV panels. A further aspect includes sensors associated with the first and second actuators and panel-cleaning device and configured to scan and detect fluid and debris on the PV panels to be removed. Another aspect provides sensors associated with a panel cleaning system and a programmable controller or processor configured to execute instructions stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium.