Enhancing Solar Energy Harvest: The Development of a Microcontroller-Based, Remote-Controlled Cleaning System for Photovoltaic Panels

Abstract

Dust and surface debris reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching photovoltaic (PV) cells and create a recurring maintenance problem, particularly where manual cleaning is difficult or unsafe. This study developed a remote-controlled Photovoltaic Module Cleaning (PVMC) prototype that integrates mechanical cleaning, sensor monitoring, and web-based control. The prototype uses an aluminum frame and rails, 3D-printed brackets, two DC motors, a brush, a squeegee, water nozzles, a reservoir and pump, a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, an Arduino Uno R3, an ultrasonic water-level sensor, and a camera. Through a locally hosted web interface, the operator can view the reported water level, access the camera feed, and initiate the cleaning cycle. Prototype evaluation focused on functional operation and visual comparison of panel surfaces before and after cleaning under dusty and muddy conditions. The recorded images show visible removal of surface contaminants after the cleaning cycle. Operational observations also indicated more consistent cleaning on damp surfaces and during repeated runs. The available trial records, however, do not include calibrated measurements of PV voltage, current, power recovery, cleaning time per unit area, water consumption, or battery energy use. The study therefore demonstrates the feasibility and operation of the integrated cleaning prototype but does not quantify the resulting increase in energy yield. Future testing should combine the cleaning procedure with electrical and resource-use measurements to establish cleaning efficiency and net operating benefit.