A review of automatic solar photovoltaic panels cleaning and cooling methods

• Main Authors: Hatif, Salwan S., Latif, Haider K., Abdulsadda, Ahmad T.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air flow; Cleaning; Controllability; Cooling; Cooling systems; Heat pipes; Incident radiation; Phase change materials; Photovoltaic cells; Radiation; Solar cells; Solar energy; Solar panels; Water consumption; Water supply
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0199903

One of the most significant methods for turning solar energy directly into electrical power is the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels. The operation of solar panels is influenced by a variety of internal and external factors. It is unable to manage external variables including the amount of incoming radiation, the air’s temperature, and the amount of dust buildup about the PV. The inside variables, such the temperature of the PV surface, are controllable. While the majority of incident radiation is immersed within the photovoltaic cell and some of energy that hits PV cell’s outside surface is converted to electricity. Unfortunately, this results in a greater panel temperature, poorer conversion performance, and shorter long-term reliability. To efficiently prevent the extreme heat increasing and improve their performance, numerous cooling systems have been created and researched. Solar cells are cooled using a variety of techniques, including passive cooling, active cooling, Technologies like heat pipes, phase change material cooling, and others that do not need electrical power are classified as passive approaches. While active methods, like the operation of a water pump or an air flow, require electrical power. On the other hand, the methods for cleaning solar photovoltaic panels can significantly improve the effectiveness of power generation and also rise the toughness of solar panels. The methods of cleaning can also be split into active or passive categories. Active techniques include mechanical ones like air flow brushes and others. While passive techniques include manual cleaning and coating methods. There is a thorough analysis of the automatic cleaning systems. The characteristics of each system are described, and the benefits and drawbacks are carefully contrasted. When selecting the best cleaning system, factors such as cost, water usage, efficiency, cleaning time, and human intervention are taken into account. Although being economical devices, brushing cleaning systems still need a man worker. As opposed to that, areas with a limited supply of water are advised to use electrostatic cleaning methods. Robotic cleaning solutions are also not advised for areas with a lot of wind because of their expensive and slow operation. This research aims to study, investigate and review of the various cooling and cleaning techniques. Experiments and researches showed that when compared to a system without the cooling and cleaning components, a solar system equi