PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF AN AUTOMATED MECHANISM FOR SOLAR PANEL DUST REMOVAL
Abstract
This project presents the design and implementation of an automated mechanism for solar panel maintenance and dust removal aimed at improving the efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Dust accumulation on solar panels significantly reduces energy output by obstructing sunlight from reaching the photovoltaic cells. To address this problem, an automated cleaning system was developed using a microcontroller-based control unit, light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensors, a motor driver, and a mechanical brush mechanism. The system continuously monitors the panel surface condition and initiates a cleaning cycle when dust accumulation exceeds a predefined threshold. Experimental results show a noticeable improvement in voltage and current output after automated cleaning, confirming the effectiveness of the system. The developed prototype demonstrates that low-cost components can be integrated to produce a reliable and scalable solution suitable for small- to medium-scale solar installations, particularly in dusty environments. The project contributes to sustainable energy utilization by reducing manual labor, improving safety, and ensuring consistent maintenance of PV systems.
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