Low-Cost Automated PV Panel Dust Cleaning System for Rural Communities  

作　　者：Derek Ajesam Asoh Noel Nkwa Awangum Derek Ajesam Asoh;Noel Nkwa Awangum(Laboratoire de Génie Electrique, Mécatronique et Traitement du Signal, ENSPY, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, NAHPI, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon;Higher Technical Teacher Training College (HTTTC), University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon)

机构地区：[1]Laboratoire de Génie Electrique, Mécatronique et Traitement du Signal, ENSPY, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon [2]Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering, NAHPI, University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon [3]Higher Technical Teacher Training College (HTTTC), University of Bamenda, Bamenda, Cameroon

出　　处：《Smart Grid and Renewable Energy》2022年第8期173-199,共27页智能电网与可再生能源（英文）

摘　　要：Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) panels degrades PV panels’ performance;leading to decreased power output and consequently high cost per generated kilowatt. Research addressing the severity of dust accumulation on PV panels has been ongoing since the 1940s, but proposed solutions have tended to increase the cost of PV systems either from oversizing or from cleaning the system. The objective of this work, therefore, is to design and implement a low-cost affordable automated PV panel dust cleaning system for use in rural communities of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA);where financial resources are limited and significantly strained in meeting livelihood activities. Complete design and implementation details of a prototype system are provided for easy replication and capitalization on PV systems for sustainable energy needs. The system detects dust based on the innovative use of light-dependent resistors. Testing and observation of the system in operational mode reveal satisfactory performance;measured parameters quantify a power output increase of 33.76% as a result of cleaning dust off the PV panel used in the study.Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) panels degrades PV panels’ performance;leading to decreased power output and consequently high cost per generated kilowatt. Research addressing the severity of dust accumulation on PV panels has been ongoing since the 1940s, but proposed solutions have tended to increase the cost of PV systems either from oversizing or from cleaning the system. The objective of this work, therefore, is to design and implement a low-cost affordable automated PV panel dust cleaning system for use in rural communities of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA);where financial resources are limited and significantly strained in meeting livelihood activities. Complete design and implementation details of a prototype system are provided for easy replication and capitalization on PV systems for sustainable energy needs. The system detects dust based on the innovative use of light-dependent resistors. Testing and observation of the system in operational mode reveal satisfactory performance;measured parameters quantify a power output increase of 33.76% as a result of cleaning dust off the PV panel used in the study.

关 键 词：PV Panel Automated Dust Cleaning Arduino Microcontroller Light Dependent Resistor Dust Percentage Threshold Low-Income Rural Communities Sub-Sahara Africa 

分 类 号：TP3[自动化与计算机技术—计算机科学与技术]