Development of a solar powered cleaning robot using Arduino for solar panel roof cleaning

Liew, Wen Rui (2024) Development of a solar powered cleaning robot using Arduino for solar panel roof cleaning. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The most common form of solar energy used today are photovoltaic solar panels, which absorb the sunlight and directly convert the sun’s radiation into electricity. Hence, by the rise of the solar technology, solar energy and solar panels are closely interconnected, as solar panels are the primary technology used to harness solar energy. However, the effectiveness of solar panels can be compromised by the accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris which are leading to reduced energy production and increased the maintenance costs. Large-scale solar installations are frequently unsuitable for manual cleaning techniques which are labour-intensive and time-consuming. Additionally, the manual cleaning techniques provide safety risks to the environment and workers, particularly on sloping or height roofs. The solar panel cleaning robot is an innovative solution designed to automate the cleaning process of solar panels roof, promoting the maximum effectiveness and efficiency of performance. This project utilizes an Arduino-based system that integrates various components such as an ultrasonic sensor, motor driver, and rechargeable battery. The robot provides the functions of detecting obstacles using ultrasonic sensor, controlling the movement and rotation of the motors and ultilizing a brush as cleaning technique to effectively clean the surface of solar panels. The software requirement of this project relies on the Arduino IDE which acts as the programming environment for code development, compilation and uploading to Arduino board. The potential of this project for commercialize depends on its applicability to solar panel installation companies. By incorporating the solar panel cleaning robot into their installation business, it can provide automated cleaning solutions, boost energy efficiency, minimise maintenance efforts and guarantee the optimal performance of solar panels installations. This project has the potential for commercialization due to its emphasis on automation, efficiency and sustainability of solar panels roof cleaning. The solar panel cleaning robot provides an inventive and affordable solution to increase the efficiency and longevity of solar panels in the renewable energy sector by overcoming the difficulties associated with manual traditional cleaning techniques.

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