SMART EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT OF SOLAR PANELS USING AUTOMATED CLEANING MECHANISM

Abstract

Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules significantly reduces their electrical output and long-term operational efficiency. To address this issue, this work presents a smart automated water-based cleaning system for improving the performance of solar panels under varying environmental conditions. The proposed design integrates an Arduino-based control unit, a relay-driven water pump and wiper motor mechanism, and real-time voltage monitoring using sensor modules. The system periodically activates the cleaning process by spraying water and wiping the panel surface to remove dust, thereby restoring light transmittance and enhancing voltage generation. A regulated power supply is incorporated to ensure stable operation of the control electronics and cleaning actuators. Experimental observations confirm that the automated cleaning method results in a noticeable increase in panel voltage output compared to uncleaned modules exposed to identical irradiation. The study demonstrates that the presented solution is cost-effective, technically feasible, and suitable for small-scale solar installations, offering improved energy harvesting efficiency and reduced manual maintenance requirements.