Design and Development of an Autonomous Raspberry PI Cleaning Robot For Photovoltaic Panels

Abstract

This article presents a solution for the cleaning of solar panels using an autonomous robot based on a rail system and designed for highly inclined panels greater than 30 degrees. The accumulation of dirt and dust on solar panels can significantly reduce their performance. Therefore, the choice of designing this rail-based cleaning robot is based on the topographical nature in Tunisia, as well as other North Africa countries. Indeed, the photovoltaic panels inclination are typically between 20 to 35 degrees, unlike in Europe where the inclination varies between 10 to 20 degrees. Additionally, the climate in North African countries is characterized by significant temperature, humidity and dust which necessitates the use of pure water in the cleaning process. The robot is equipped with a rotating brush positioned on a mobile carriage that moves along the rails and move laterally across the panels allowing a thorough cleaning of the solar panel surfaces. We provide a detailed discussion of the robot's design, its movement mechanism, and how it optimizes solar energy production while contributing to environmental sustainability.