Weeper Control Design based on Microcontroller for Photovoltaic Panel Cleaning System

Abstract

—This paper presents the design of a cleaning system for the surface of a photovoltaic panel using a weeper control mechanism. We have experimentally designed the cleaning system for single (Photovoltaic) PV panel. The weeper cleaning system is controlled using a microcontroller. The cleaning system operates by spraying an amount of water on the PV panel surface, and then actuating the weeper using a DC motor. Two limit switches are used to sense the weeper position at the edge of the PV panel. In the experimental test, an amount of dust is deployed on the PV panel surface to test its power performance. The experimental results have shown that the weeper can improve the efficiency of the PV panel of about 47% over the efficiency before the PV panel is cleaned. The weeper can be managed to work periodically for example five times in a day, or can be manually activated using remote control mechanism. The power performance of the weeper system is also tested. The percentage of the power consumption over total PV system power during standby condition of the weeper is about 0.79%. While during water spray and weeper operations, it consumes respectively about 8.94% and 4.49%. This low power consumption make this cleaning system feasible for further product development.