Solar Panel Self-Cleaning Mechanisms and Its Effect on the Economic and Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

The development of society and the economy depends on the wise use of renewable energy sources and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. In both industrialized and developing nations, solar energy, which is a significant source of renewable energy, is emerging as a dependable and cost-effective replacement for fossil fuels. In several industries, including residential, commercial, and agricultural, there is an increasing demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. However, dust buildup on solar panels can limit energy transmission and result in power loss in regions with significant amounts of sunlight. The solar cells are shaded by dirt, debris, and soil carried by the wind, which reduces the energy they receive and raises cell temperature, which further reduces solar cell efficiency. The natural accumulation of dust and heat significantly lowers the panel’s ability to produce electricity. This article is intended to develop an automatic self-cleaning mechanism to solve this problem, which seeks to increase panel efficiency, monitor and control cell temperature, and provide a more affordable solution than the current alternatives. The experimental evaluation of cleaning system performance shows a 14.81% increase in output efficiency, demonstrating its effectiveness in preventing solar degradation. For PV modules, the suggested technique provides an accessible and low-cost automatic self-cleaning alternative.