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Cleaning of Photovoltaic Panels Utilizing the Downward Thrust of a Drone

Author

Listed:
  • S. Rehman

    (Interdisciplinary Research Center for Renewable Energy and Power Systems (IRC-REPS), The Research Institute, KFUPM, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • M. A. Mohandes

    (Electrical Engineering Department, KFUPM, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • A. E. Hussein

    (Electrical Engineering Department, KFUPM, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • L. M. Alhems

    (Applied Research Center for Metrology, Standards, and Testing (ARC-MST), The Research Institute, KFUPM, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • A. Al-Shaikhi

    (Electrical Engineering Department, KFUPM, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

This study demonstrates that a drone flying above photovoltaic (PV) panels can clean the dust and enhance the panels’ efficiency. If operated regularly, the drone’s downward thrust generated during its cruise at a certain height above the panels can remove most of the accumulated dust. Sandstorms are frequent in Saudi Arabia, creating dust deposition on PV panels, which acts as a shield against solar radiation. As a result, the energy absorption from solar radiation is reduced and subsequently, the panels’ energy output is reduced. This experimental investigation was conducted at KFUPM University’s beach, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, to prove the effectiveness of drone-based cleaning of PV panels. Volumes of 20, 50, and 100 CC of dust were spread on the panel during different experiments. These experimental results showed that the back thrust of the drone could remove most of the dust and improve the solar panels’ energy output performance. For example, for 50 CC dust spread on the panel, the current increased from 1.34 A to 2.16 A (61.2% increase), relative to the pre- and post-drone flight for horizontal movement of the drone. Similarly, for vertical and diagonal movements, the current increased by 69.83% and 68.03%, respectively, for a dust spread of 20 CC. Furthermore, dust reductions of 74.64%, 57.0%, and 78.4% were realized during the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal paths, respectively, of the drone flight for 50 CC dust spread.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Rehman & M. A. Mohandes & A. E. Hussein & L. M. Alhems & A. Al-Shaikhi, 2022. "Cleaning of Photovoltaic Panels Utilizing the Downward Thrust of a Drone," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:21:p:8159-:d:960408
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marcus King & Dacheng Li & Mark Dooner & Saikat Ghosh & Jatindra Nath Roy & Chandan Chakraborty & Jihong Wang, 2021. "Mathematical Modelling of a System for Solar PV Efficiency Improvement Using Compressed Air for Panel Cleaning and Cooling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Douglas Olivares & Pablo Ferrada & Jonathan Bijman & Sebastián Rodríguez & Mauricio Trigo-González & Aitor Marzo & Jorge Rabanal-Arabach & Joaquín Alonso-Montesinos & Francisco Javier Batlles & Edward, 2020. "Determination of the Soiling Impact on Photovoltaic Modules at the Coastal Area of the Atacama Desert," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Emran Aljdaeh & Innocent Kamwa & Waleed Hammad & Mohammed I. Abuashour & Tha’er Sweidan & Haris M. Khalid & S. M. Muyeen, 2021. "Performance Enhancement of Self-Cleaning Hydrophobic Nanocoated Photovoltaic Panels in a Dusty Environment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-18, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gowtham Vedulla & Anbazhagan Geetha & Ramalingam Senthil, 2022. "Review of Strategies to Mitigate Dust Deposition on Solar Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-28, December.
    2. Faris E. Alfaris, 2023. "A Sensorless Intelligent System to Detect Dust on PV Panels for Optimized Cleaning Units," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, January.

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