It is always possible to see a thick layerof dust on the surface of many solar panels, causing the originally blue andshiny solar panels to look dirty, and even causing them to catch fire. So, whatif the photovoltaic panel gets dirty?

1、 The necessity ofcleaning photovoltaic modules

Photovoltaic modules are the core part ofphotovoltaic systems and the most valuable part of them. The quality or cost ofphotovoltaic modules will directly determine the quality and cost of the entiresystem. The theoretical power generation efficiency of photovoltaic modules is25%, while the actual efficiency is 23%; After being polluted, the power generationefficiency decreases to 17-18%. Therefore, the cleanliness of photovoltaicmodules has a significant impact on power generation efficiency and efficiency.Photovoltaic modules are installed outdoors, and the small dust particles,snow, etc. attached to their surface can affect the transmittance of light,thereby affecting the amount of radiation received by the module surface andaffecting power generation efficiency; The surface soil, bird droppings, andother local obstructions can cause heat spot effects in the photovoltaicmodule, reduce power generation efficiency, and even burn the module. In orderto improve the power generation efficiency of photovoltaic modules, it isnecessary to regularly clean them.

The service life of photovoltaic modules isover 20 years. In order to maintain normal power generation efficiency duringthe service life, photovoltaic power stations need to arrange dedicatedpersonnel to regularly clean and treat the surface dust and pollutants ofphotovoltaic modules. The cleaning plan includes three methods: general dustremoval, local cleaning, and overall cleaning.

General dust removal: Generally, a dusteror dry mop is used to clean the dust on the surface of photovoltaic modules toreduce the impact of dust on power generation.

Local cleaning: When there are difficult toremove pollutants such as bird droppings in a certain part of the photovoltaicarray, clean the photovoltaic array locally with clean water.

Overall cleaning: When the dustaccumulation on the surface of photovoltaic modules is thick due to longcleaning intervals or harsh weather, it is necessary to perform overallcleaning on the photovoltaic array. The first consideration for cleaningcomponents in the photovoltaic area is to use natural rainwater, while inseasons with low rainfall, manual cleaning is considered.

The general dust removal plan is to becarried out every two weeks, and the overall cleaning plan is to be carried outevery three months or after particularly severe weather weeks.

The cleaning work of photovoltaic modulesshould be carried out in the morning, evening, night, or rainy days (withirradiance below 200W/m2). It is strictly prohibited to choose around noon orduring periods with strong sunlight for cleaning work. When cleaning in themorning and evening, it is also advisable to choose to do so during periods ofdim sunlight.

2、 Cleaning methodsfor photovoltaic modules

There are several common cleaning methodsfor photovoltaic modules:

1) Manual cleaning

Artificial photovoltaic module cleaning isthe original method of module cleaning, completely relying on manual labor tocomplete. This cleaning method has low work efficiency, long cleaning cycles,high labor costs, and poses personal hazards. Mainly divided into manual water cleaningand manual dry cleaning.

a. Manual water washing

Artificial water washing is achieved byspraying water onto the surface of photovoltaic modules using a nozzleconnected to a water truck (or water pipe) to achieve

The purpose of cleaning is that thiscleaning method is superior to manual dry cleaning, with higher cleaningefficiency but a higher water consumption. Special electric brushes, rollerbrushes, and disc brushes can be used to clean photovoltaic modules. The waterpipe should be tied to the brush rod, and some electric brushes are alsoequipped with a water pipe nozzle to achieve the effect of simultaneousbrushing and flushing.

b. Manual dry cleaning

The operator uses a long handled velvet mopand a specialized dust remover for cleaning.

Main principle: Utilizing the principle ofelectrostatic adsorption, it has the function of adsorbing dust and sandparticles, enhancing the ability of dust suction and cleaning, and effectivelypreventing dust and sand particles from flying during cleaning. As long as yougently pat and push the dust, you can shake off the sand particles, which arecommonly used for cleaning curtain walls, hotels, hotels, etc.

2) Automatic cleaning

The automatic cleaning method is to installthe cleaning device on the photovoltaic module array, and achieve automaticcleaning of the photovoltaic module by the device through program control ofmotor rotation. Alternatively, a photovoltaic cleaning vehicle can be used,with a free arm cleaning brush added to the tractor and equipped with a waterdelivery nozzle, which can be washed with water while brushing. The automaticcleaning machine can be operated in two ways: "with water" and"without water" according to the on-site environment. The cost ofautomatic cleaning equipment is high.

a. Cleaning vehicle

At present, cleaning equipment modifiedusing engineering vehicles as carriers has high power and efficiency. Thecleaning work has good consistency in pressure on photovoltaic modules, andwill not generate uneven pressure on photovoltaic modules, causing them tocrack. Moreover, cleaning can be done in two modes: cleaning and water washing.The operation and maintenance company can purchase or rent. 10MWp uses 30 cubicmeters of water for descaling, equivalent to 22Km × A light rain of 0.23mm fellon the surface of the 3.5m photovoltaic array.

b. Cleaning robot

To effectively improve the efficiency ofcleaning the dust on the surface of distributed solar panels, intelligentcleaning robots are used to regularly clean and thoroughly remove the dust anddirt on the surface of photovoltaic modules, in order to improve powergeneration efficiency. The method is to install a photovoltaic module cleaningrobot for each row of the power station (or install a new row of cars, withmultiple rows sharing a robot), which automatically cleans and is unmanned. Itcan come with its own photovoltaic module and power storage device, without theneed for external power supply.

Multifit solar has been committed toresearching photovoltaic cleaning for many years, and has its own professionalteam of research and development engineers. From semi-automatic manual handheldcleaning brushes to fully automatic cleaning machines, various types ofmachines are available, which can meet the cleaning needs of any photovoltaicscene:

1,MR-G1 Single-board ,double-board robot 

They can be made into adjustable machines,which only we can do in China 

2,MR-XY cleaning robot for three to fiverow arrays over 4 meters 

Able to clean solar panel arrays more than4m wide 

3,Simple model cleaning robot 

It is much lighter and flexible 

4,Solar Panel Cleaning Robot- MR-T1 Series 

It is more intelligent and It adoptsautonomous cross-barrier program. 

For Multifit solar panel cleaning robot,Thereis always one that can meet the cleaning needs of your solar power station.