DESC:

FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of solar panel cleaning systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an automated mechanism for cleaning solar panels.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Solar panel / photovoltaic panel / photovoltaic module / PV module: The terms ‘Solar panel / photovoltaic panel / photovoltaic module / PV module’ used hereinafter in the disclosure refers to an assembly of connected solar cells, wherein each cell is an electrical device that converts incident solar radiation into electrical energy.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
An array of solar cells connected together in series and parallel and generating DC voltage forms a panel/module in a solar power system. There are regions in the world with abundant solar energy available throughout the year, particularly in the equatorial and tropical regions. In such regions, a clean and renewable source of energy like solar energy carries a tremendous potential for commercial and domestic use. Once a solar panel is installed, one of the form of maintenance required is to clean the surface of the solar panel.
Solar panels /Photovoltaic modules in solar power systems can be installed in a fixed position and orientation, or can be equipped with a tracker mechanism which orients the panel surface in accordance with position of the sun, to maximize radiation absorption, thus generating maximum possible electrical energy. The orientation is described in terms of azimuth and elevation angles, whose rotational axis are horizontal and orthogonal to each other. A controller is required for automatic control of the tracked photovoltaic module.
Efficiency of a solar power system drops due to the accumulation of dust, dirt, pollen, soot and other particulate matter on the solar panel surface, which causes reduction in absorbed solar energy. In regions with regular availability of precipitation, cleaning of photovoltaic modules cannot be mandatorily required. However, there are vast regions around the globe in the tropical belt with little or no rain available virtually throughout the year. Such regions are prone to regular and intense dust storms. Also, in urban areas with high density of heavy industries as well as traffic, soot accumulation happens on surfaces of solar panels every day. In such areas, solar panels need to be cleaned periodically.
Normally, manual cleaning of solar modules is done using pressurized water, pumped using power generated by diesel engines such as that of a tractor, and sprayed on the panels manually. In other instances, manual wiping of the surface of panels using brushes or cloth is also done. This method not only can lead to wasteful use of water, it also involves the risk of damage to the delicate and costly components of a solar power installation. These methods are also labour intensive and the quality of cleaning is dependent on operator’s skill. Further, the tractor moving between compactly arranged panel rows or the person cleaning the panels haphazardly can also cause damage to the photovoltaic modules.
Hence, more sophisticated methods are employed, such as robotic cleaning of photovoltaic modules, wherein robots equipped with brushes perform dry or wet cleaning the surface of the photovoltaic modules. The robots can also be equipped with reservoirs of water or a cleaning solution to facilitate wet cleaning. A separate control unit and a separate power source such as an auxiliary solar module are required to operate such a cleaning robot, further adding to the capital and operating costs. Moreover, such a robot for cleaning solar modules consumes a separate space for parking when not in use, thus making the overall system bulky.
As a difference between the cost of solar power and that of conventional power is diminishing, the race for lower fabrication cost has spurred various configurations of structure, such as framed panels or frameless panels, 1P, 2P, 3L, 4L and so on.
With such a diverse set of offerings in the structure of a solar panel, it is difficult to build a cheap, non-standard and completely automated waterless cleaning solution for photovoltaic modules which does not call for any human intervention.
There is, therefore, felt a need for a system for cleaning solar panels, that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning solar panels.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning solar panels that is customizable.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning solar panels that is automated.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning solar panels that is economical.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning solar panels which is easy to retrofit on existing solar modules.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning solar panels that is simple in construction.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a waterless cleaning system for solar panels.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for cleaning solar panels that can work on framed as well as frameless PV modules, having any configuration such as 1P, 2P, 3L, and 4L.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system for cleaning at least one solar panel. The system comprises a set of end pulleys, connecting shafts, ropes, a wiping apparatus, a control unit, and a driving mechanism. The set of end pulleys is mounted on a rigid member proximal to the four corners of the solar panel. Each of the connecting shafts couples two adjacent end pulleys located along the transverse axis of the solar panel. The ropes run over a pair of end pulleys located along the longitudinal axis of the solar panel. The wiping apparatus is suspended from the ropes and is positioned transversally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the solar panel. The control unit is configured to cooperate with at least one monitoring device to receive a value corresponding to at least one parameter associated with the solar panel, and is further configured to generate a control signal for initiating cleaning of the solar panel based on the received value. The driving mechanism is coupled to the control unit. The driving mechanism is configured to receive the control signal, and is further configured to rotate the set of end pulleys for facilitating movement of the ropes, thereby causing the drive apparatus to traverse along the length of the solar panel to clean the surface of the solar panel.
In an embodiment, the system includes a battery configured to supply power to said driving mechanism and said control unit for facilitating cleaning of said solar panel.
In an embodiment, the wiping apparatus comprises a supporting frame and a wiping element fixed on an operative bottom surface of the supporting frame. The wiping element is configured to be in contact with the surface of the solar panel. In an embodiment, the wiping element is a microfiber-based cloth. The system facilitates parking of the wiping apparatus at a docking position underneath the solar panel when the wiping apparatus is not operating.
In an embodiment, the monitoring device is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a dust sensor, a relative humidity sensor, a moisture sensor, a temperature sensor, and a wind sensor. In another embodiment, the monitoring device is a power measurement unit configured to measure power generated by the solar panel. Accordingly, the parameter includes at least one of moisture level, humidity level, dust on the surface of panel, power generated by the panel, temperature of the panel, and wind velocity.
In an embodiment, the driving mechanism comprises a drive pulley and a motor. The drive pulley is coupled to the end pulleys. The motor is configured to drive the drive pulley in order to rotate the end pulleys for facilitating cleaning of the surface of the solar panel.
Alternatively, the system includes a cleaning solution reservoir configured to provide a cleaning solution to the wiping apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A system for cleaning solar panels of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for cleaning solar panels of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 is a side view of a 1P-tracker-type solar panel configured with the cleaning system of the Figure 1; and
Figure 3 is a top isometric view of a 1P-tracker-type solar panel configured with the cleaning system of the Figure 1.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – System
10 – Wiping apparatus
12 – Supporting frame
14 – Wiping element
20 – End pulleys
30 – Connecting shafts
40 – Ropes
50 – Motor
55 – Motor mounting bracket
60 – Drive pulley
65 – Driving mechanism
70 – Wiper docking position
200 – Solar panel
210 – Tracker mechanism
222 – Torque tube
224 – Tracker vertical post
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
Solar panels are increasingly becoming an attractive means of obtaining clean energy. The focus of the industries is now shifting towards providing an efficient fabrication of panels, which has driven creation of framed or frameless configuration of panels, such as 1P, 2P, 3L, 4L configurations and so on. However, the efficiency of a solar panel in a photovoltaic/solar power system can drop significantly if there is accumulation of dust, soot, and other such matter on its surface. Although, there are several cleaning systems and methods prevailing in the market, with such a diverse set of offerings in the structure of the solar panel, it is difficult to build a cheap, non-standard and completely automated waterless cleaning solution for panels without human interventions. To overcome aforementioned problems, a system (hereinafter referred to as “system 100”) for cleaning solar panels that can work on framed and frameless PV modules having any configuration such as 1P, 2P, 3L, and 4L is now being described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 3.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the system 100 for cleaning at least one solar panel 200 comprises a set of end pulleys 20, connecting shafts 30, ropes 40, a wiping apparatus 10, a control unit (not shown in figures), and a driving mechanism 65. The end pulleys 20 are mounted on a rigid member proximal to the four corners of the solar panel 200. The solar panel 200 can be a tracked solar panel 200. Accordingly, the rigid member can be a member of tracker mechanism 210, a fixed tilt, or any structure table, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The tracker mechanism 210 is defined by a vertical post 224 and a horizontal torque tube 222. Each of the connecting shafts 30 couples two adjacent end pulleys 20 located along the transverse axis of the solar panel 200. The ropes 40 run over a pair of the end pulleys 20 located along the longitudinal axis of the solar panel 200. The wiping apparatus 10 is suspended from the ropes 40 and is positioned transversally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the solar panel 200. In an embodiment, the wiping apparatus 10 includes a supporting frame 12 and a wiping element 14 fixed on an operative bottom surface of the supporting frame 12. The wiping element 14 is configured to be in contact with the surface of the solar panel 200. The control unit is configured to cooperate with at least one monitoring device to receive a value corresponding to at least one parameter associated with the solar panel 200. The control unit is further configured to generate a control signal for initiating cleaning of the solar panel 200 based on the received value. The driving mechanism 65 is coupled to the control unit. The driving mechanism 65 is configured to receive the control signal, and is further configured to rotate the set of end pulleys 20 for facilitating movement of the ropes 40, thereby causing the wiping apparatus 10 to traverse along the length of the solar panel 200 to clean the surface of the solar panel 200.
In an embodiment, the power required for driving the system 100 is derived from a battery associated with the tracker mechanism 210. In another embodiment, a separate, dedicated battery is provided for the cleaning system 100. The battery supplies power to the driving mechanism 65 and the control unit for facilitating cleaning of the solar panel 200.
In an embodiment, the driving mechanism 65 comprises a drive pulley 60 and a motor 50. The drive pulley 60 is coupled to the end pulleys 20. The motor 50 is configured to drive the drive pulley 60 in order to rotate the end pulleys 20 for facilitating cleaning of the surface of the solar panel 200. The motor 50 can be mounted on a motor mounting bracket 55 which can be fixedly connected to a rigid member of the solar panel 200, such as the torque tube 222 of a tracker mechanism 210, as shown in Figure 2. This arrangement protects the motor 50 from environmental damage such as damage due to rain and direct sunlight.
In an embodiment, the system 100 includes a cleaning solution reservoir configured to provide a cleaning solution such as water or a soap solution to the wiping apparatus 10.
In an embodiment, the monitoring device is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a dust sensor, a relative humidity sensor, a moisture sensor, a temperature sensor, and a wind sensor. In another embodiment, the monitoring device is a power measurement unit configured to measure power generated by the solar panel 200. Accordingly, the parameter associated with the solar panel 200 includes at least one of moisture level, humidity level, dust on the surface of the solar panel 200, power generated by the solar panel 200, temperature of the solar panel 200, and wind velocity. The values of each of the parameters is a direct or indirect indication of accumulation of dust, dirt, pollen, soot and other particulate matter on the surface of the solar panel 200.
In an embodiment, the control unit comprises a memory and a processor. The memory can be configured to store pre-defined threshold values of each of the parameters. The processor can be configured to receive the monitored values of at least one of the parameters at regular intervals of time. The processor can be further configured to compare the received values of parameter with the corresponding pre-defined threshold value to generate the control signal for operation of the driving mechanism 65. For example, the processor may receive monitored value of generated power at regular intervals of time. The processor can be configured to compare the received values with a pre-defined threshold power value, and may be further configured to generate the control signal for operation of the driving mechanism 65 when the received power is less than the pre-defined threshold power.
The processor described herein above may be a general-purpose processor, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and/or the like. The processor may be configured to retrieve data from and/or write data to the memory. The memory may be, for example, a random-access memory (RAM), a memory buffer, a hard drive, a database, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a floppy disk, cloud storage, and/or so forth.
Thus, the synchronous rotation of the end pulleys 20 driven directly or indirectly by the motor 50 and coupled through connecting shafts 30 and ropes 40 can make the wiping apparatus 10 move along the surface of the solar panel 200 and thereby clean the surface with a dry-wiping action. The cleaning action can be repeated multiple times or as and when reduction in power generation due to soiling is observed.
Advantageously, the system 100 facilitates parking of the wiping apparatus 10 at a wiper docking position 70 underneath the solar panel 200 when the wiping apparatus 10 is not operating as shown in Figure 3. This arrangement avoids any obstruction or shadowing of the surface of the solar panel 200 and thus any loss of power generation. Thus, there is no need for a separate docking station for the safety of the wiping apparatus 10.
In an alternate embodiment, the end pulleys 20 located along the same longitudinal axis are coupled with the connecting shaft 30 such that the ropes 40 can be stretched along transverse axis of the solar panel 200.
In an embodiment, the control unit is embedded in the controller of the tracker mechanism 210. In another embodiment, a separate, dedicated controller is provided for the cleaning system 100.
In an embodiment, the supporting frame 12 of the wiping apparatus 10 is made of polymeric material or of aluminum. In an embodiment, the wiping element 14 is a microfiber-based cloth. Wire ropes or Kevlar thread can alternatively be used instead of rope 40.
It can be appreciated that the cleaning system 100 in the embodiments described hereinabove can be easily implemented for a solar power generation system comprising multiple solar panels 200. The system 100 can be configured with any solar panel construction such as framed or frameless panels or any solar panel 200 configuration including 1P, 2P, 3L, 4L and so on. The system 100 can be easily retrofitted onto existing solar modules. The system 100 retrofitted in this manner can be independently controlled using a separate controller.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system for cleaning solar panels that:
• is automated;
• is customizable;
• is economical;
• does not require a separate docking station for the wiping apparatus;
• is easy to retrofit on existing solar modules;
• facilitates waterless cleaning of panel surface;
• can work on framed as well as frameless PV modules, having any configuration such as 1P, 2P, 3L, and 4L; and
• is simple in construction.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for cleaning at least one solar panel (200), said system (100) comprising:
i. a set of end pulleys (20) mounted on a rigid member proximal to the four corners of said solar panel (200);
ii. connecting shafts (30) for coupling two adjacent end pulleys (20) located along the transverse axis of said solar panel (200);
iii. ropes (40) running over a pair of said end pulleys (20) located along the longitudinal axis of said solar panel (200);
iv. a wiping apparatus (10) suspended from said ropes (40) and positioned transversally with respect to the longitudinal axis of said solar panel (200);
v. a control unit configured to cooperate with at least one monitoring device to receive a value corresponding to at least one parameter associated with said solar panel (200), and further configured to generate a control signal for initiating cleaning of said solar panel (200) based on said received value; and
vi. a driving mechanism (65) coupled to said control unit, said driving mechanism (65) configured to receive said control signal, and further configured to rotate said set of end pulleys (20) for facilitating movement of said ropes (40), thereby causing said wiping apparatus (10) to traverse along the length of said solar panel (200) to clean surface of said solar panel (200).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wiping apparatus (10) comprises:
i. a supporting frame (12); and
ii. a wiping element (14) fixed on an operative bottom surface of said supporting frame (12), said wiping element (14) configured to be in contact with the surface of said solar panel (200).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wiping element (14) is a microfiber-based cloth.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said monitoring device is a sensor selected from the group consisting of a rain sensor, a dust sensor, a relative humidity sensor, a moisture sensor, a temperature sensor, and a wind sensor.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said monitoring device is a power measurement unit configured to measure power generated by said solar panel (200).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said parameter includes at least one of a moisture level, humidity level, dust count on the surface of said solar panel (200), power generated by said solar panel (200), temperature of said solar panel (200), and wind velocity.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving mechanism (65) comprises:
i. a drive pulley (60) coupled to said end pulleys (20); and
ii. a motor (50) configured to drive said drive pulley (60) in order to rotate said end pulleys (20) for facilitating cleaning of the surface of said solar panel (200).
8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a cleaning solution reservoir configured to provide a cleaning solution to said wiping apparatus (10).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (100) facilitates parking of the wiping apparatus (10) at a wiper docking position (70) underneath said solar panel (200) when said wiping apparatus (10) is not operating.
10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a battery configured to supply power to said driving mechanism (65) and said control unit for facilitating cleaning of said solar panel (200).

Dated this 16th Day of December, 2019

_______________________________
MOHAN DEWAN, IN/PA - 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant

TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT MUMBAI