Overview
Photovoltaic systems benefit from periodic cleaning because dust depositions can lower the energy efficiency. Cleaning the PV modules is cumbersome because they are often installed in areas that are difficult to access. Currently, cleaning - done mostly manually – is laborious because there are no suitable devices available on the market. Owners of PV systems usually have an interest in technology and are ready to invest into new technologies. There are a large number of PV installations, also in Switzerland. Cleaning of these installations to optimize the energy conversion rates represents a need. However, to be successful, a product must be positioned on the market as a “technology gadget”. Machines to clean building surfaces are available through online marketers. These devices are made for cleaning of large, mainly vertical surfaces and are therefore elaborately designed. The objective of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility of a robot for cleaning of photovoltaic modules. The goal of the study was to develop a first functional model, which can be tested in a real environment.
