IoT based detection, monitoring and automatic cleaning system for soiling of PV solar panel

Abstract

Solid particles impair the performance of the photovoltaic (PV) modules. The results in power losses that lower the system's efficiency also decrease the life expectancy of the panel. An Internet of Things (IoT) based system was made to monitor, detect dust accumulation, and a cleaning system that would automatically wipe the dust on the surface of the PV solar panels. Using a specific dust sensor, it detects and monitor the amount of dust in the panel. As the dust accumulated reaches its limit, the cleaning system triggers automatically. The ambient temperature was monitored using the temperature and humidity sensor. The data will be received via internet using the Blynk app. The system will address the panel's dust accumulation problem as it was considered one of the biggest problems globally regarding solar energy reproduction.