A linear piezoelectric actuator based solar panel cleaning system

Xiaolong Lu, Qi Zhang and Junhui Hu

Energy, 2013, vol. 60, issue C, 401-406

Abstract: A linear piezoelectric actuator based solar panel cleaning system is proposed in order to make a solar panel operate at the best power generation state while the solar panel is used in dusty environment. A piezoelectric actuator linearly moving on a guide is employed to drive a wiper fixed on the actuator. At a proper pressure force between the wiper and solar panel, the actuator can drive the wiper to effectively wipe a dust layer away from the solar panel's surface. The cleaning system's energy gain, which is defined as the ratio of a solar panel's output electric energy increase caused by cleaning to the energy consumption by the piezoelectric actuator, is much higher than 1. The merits of using the piezoelectric actuator in a solar panel cleaning system is that the cleaning system has light weight and compact structure, which is a common feature of piezoelectric systems.

Keywords: Photovoltaic panel; Cleaning; Piezoelectric actuator; Energy gain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:60:y:2013:i:c:p:401-406

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2013.07.058

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