South African researchers have developed a brand new cleansing system for photo voltaic panels that makes use of a color-sensing light-to-frequency converter to detect dust. It will possibly reportedly take away about 95% of the mud from a PV panel in lower than a minute, at a decrease price than different programs.
Researchers from the College of Johannesburg in South Africa have developed a cleansing system for photo voltaic modules primarily based on the TCS3200 colour sensor and the Arduino Uno open-source microcontroller.
The TCS3200 is a programmable colour light-to-frequency converter geared up with white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to light up the floor of an object for colour detection, with the item reflecting the sunshine again to the sensor. to find out colour depth.
“The TCS3200 can detect the colour of incident gentle and output sq. waves with 50% responsibility cycles,” the scientists mentioned. “In comparison with different scientific devices, this sensor is sensible at a low price.”
The microcontroller is the important thing ingredient of the entire system, which additionally features a 46 V motor driver, two 12 V DC motors, a cost controller, a chargeable battery, a voltage regulator, and a curler. brush.
“The curler brush offers a sweeping movement for cleansing panel surfaces by rotating at the next velocity than the motion wheels,” mentioned the analysis crew.
The system additionally makes use of Arduino IDE software program to write down, compile and add sketch codes for the system. This consists of the connecting rods, the case that protects the digital elements, and the comb drive gear.
The system can detect dust on the photo voltaic panels by measuring the colours, calibrating the colours, and evaluating the measured outcomes with the reference outcomes.
“When the controller detects that the humidity threshold degree sign has reached 80%, the motor driver activates to wash the photo voltaic panel,” the teachers defined. “Motor A of the 2 DC motors within the setup strikes the colour sensor throughout the photo voltaic panel for colour monitoring, whereas Motor B drives the cleansing robotic to take away dust.”
The crew estimates the system’s annual price at $2.37 (€1.50) per panel, with capital and upkeep prices accounting for a lot of the related prices.
“In a single minute, as much as 95% of mud on PV panel surfaces will be eliminated with this machine,” the crew mentioned.
Scientists describe the brand new cleansing system in “Photo voltaic panel floor dust detection and elimination primarily based on Arduino colour recognition,” which was just lately revealed in Methodology X.
“The researched challenge is an enchancment on present programs as a result of it eliminates many drawbacks, reminiscent of the necessity for water, guide cleansing, the necessity for labor,” the scientists concluded. “The system can function for a few years earlier than needing upkeep.”
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