Design, fabrication and Operation of a Bluetooth RC Controlled Solar Panel Cleaning Robot

Abstract

Solar energy is known as one of the most dependable and sustainable renewable energy sources accessible today. Dust, dirt, and environmental debris can significantly lower the energy production of solar panels when they settle on the surface of a panel. This additional layer of material blocks sunlight from reaching the solar cells and limits the ability of the panel to convert solar energy into usable electricity. Maintaining solar panels requires performing regular maintenance cleaning; however, manual cleaning processes take considerable effort and time, plus they are unrealistic for the majority of the larger solar panel installations.

The proposed solution is to develop a Solar Panel Cleaning Robot that automates the cleaning process. The robot is equipped with a removable chassis to provide movement and consists of both DC motors to provide power to the chassis, soft nylon cleaning brushes to physically remove the debris from the surfaces of solar panels, and an electric water pump to spray a cleaning solution onto the surface of the panels to aid in the removal of any debris. The robot can be controlled from an Android device using a Bluetooth (HC-05) module and uses a rechargeable lithium battery for powering the operation of the robot.

A solar monitoring system consists of a monitoring system that will collect several parameters of a solar panel such as: the voltage of a solar panel; temperature of the surrounding area; humidity; and intensity of light. The parameters are measured with 3 different types of sensors: a voltage sensor; a DHT11; and a LDR. The data collected from the sensors will be displayed on a 16×2 LCD and transmitted to the internet via a Wi- Fi module (ESP8266). Users can then access the information remotely and see how the system is performing.

An Arduino Uno microcontroller controls the entire system and is programmed in Embedded C language. This project provides a sustainable and efficient solution to cleaning solar panels, increasing energy production from solar panels; reducing the labour and cost of maintaining solar panels.

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