DEVELOPMENT OF A SELF-CLEANING SYSTEM FOR SOLAR ENERGY PANELS

ABSTRACT Solar energy is one of the most widely adopted renewable energy sources due to its environmental friendliness and sustainability. However, the efficiency of solar panels is significantly affected by the accumulation of dust, dirt, and other environmental contaminants on their surfaces. This reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the photovoltaic cells, thereby decreasing power output. This project focuses on the design and development of an automated solar panel cleaning system that operates with minimal human intervention. The system was designed using a microcontroller-based control unit, DC motors, sensors, and a mechanical cleaning mechanism. The system automatically cleans the panel surface at predefined intervals or based on environmental conditions. The methodology adopted involved system design, hardware construction, software programming, integration, and performance testing. The results obtained showed a significant improvement in power output after cleaning, with an average increase of approximately 30–40%. The developed system is cost-effective, reliable, energy-efficient, and suitable for small-scale solar installations. It reduces maintenance effort, improves safety, and ensures consistent panel cleanliness. This project demonstrates the importance of automation in renewable energy maintenance and provides a practical solution to a real-world engineering problem.