Energetica India nº91 July August 2020

61 energetica INDIA- July-Aug_2020 • Internet connected • Energy independent operation • Water free • Autonomous • Daily cleaning of PV modules Design The design of the device was a roll- ing brush that traverses along with an array of solar panels. The device would attach to the array using rollers that grip the frame of the panels and use them as rails to roll along with the panel. The system cleans the panel using a spinning brush to clean any dust or debris. Ideally, the device would not use water and would not need to be connected to any source of water. Functional Analysis The company devised a system that moves along the length of an array of panels, cleaning the entire array. This design was selected primarily for its simplicity. Its component subsys- tems have been observed to function well in other applications. The de- vice moves across a row of panels and cleans using a spinning array of brushes. The system will move using soft rubber wheels driven by an electric motor. The rotating brush system will be mounted on a rotating axle which is also spun by the main drive motor. Using a single motor is advantageous for both cost and sim- plicity. However, the drive motor will need to deliver high torque in order to function effectively. To reduce the stress on both the system and the panel surface, a series of lighter cleaning cycles will be used rather than a single more intense cleaning. This device will run across a row of panels and back to its original posi- tion. The device will be powered by an internal battery. At the end of each cleaning cycle, the system will return to a docking station at the end of the panel where it will recharge the bat- tery. The dock system will act as an extended platform next to the panels to allow the system to move off the panel surface, so it does not obstruct sunlight from any part of the panel. The system uses a motorized brush to clean the surface of the panel array. The system is moved along the panel by two sets of motorized wheels, with one set located at either end of the device. The entire system is driven by a compact high-torque DC motor. The entire system is controlled by an onboard microcontroller which is paired with a dedicated motor con- troller. This control system is able to fully automate the system’s cleaning process with the ability to schedule cleanings at any given time. Source: From Skilancer Solar survey in Rajasthan solar plants