DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AUTOMATIC SOLAR PANEL CLEANING SYSTEM WITH IOT INTEGRATION

Abstract

This project presents the design and development of an automated solar panel cleaning system integrated with IoT-based monitoring for real-time performance evaluation. The study demonstrates that dust accumulation can significantly reduce the voltage output of solar panels, resulting in an efficiency reduction of approximately 10–30%. Experimental results indicate that following the cleaning process, the panel voltage is restored to nearly 99–100% of its efficiency, highlighting the immediate benefits of effective dust removal. Solar irradiance measurements recorded at 10-minute intervals showed that the panel voltage falls below the predefined threshold only once during the day. This enables the system to perform cleaning approximately 1–2 times per day, thereby minimizing power consumption and mechanical wear. The proposed cleaning mechanism effectively removes dust, bird droppings, and other surface contaminants while helping to prevent thermal hotspots. Consequently, it improves energy generation, contributes to longer panel lifespan, and reduces maintenance requirements. The proposed automated solution enhances the reliability and operational efficiency of solar power systems, making it suitable for long-term and large-scale applications.