IOT based Automated Scouring of Solar Panels

Abstract

The supply of energy has been one of the major issues for both urban and rural areas. About
60% to 70% of the energy demand of the country is met by fuel wood. Solar energy is a
renewable source of energy, which has a great potential and it is radiated by the sun.
Renewable energy is important to replace the use of electric energy generated by petroleum
and other non-renewable resources. Solar power has become a source of renewable energy
and thus the solar energy application to be enhanced. The solar panels are generally
employed in dusty environments which are the case tropical countries like India. The dust
gets accumulated on the front surface of the solar module and blocks the incident light from
the sun. It decreases the power generation capacity of the unit. The power output reduces as
much as by 50% if the module is not cleaned for a longer period. This paper deals with the
design, fabrication and implementation and to clean the solar modules automatically by
sensing the dust present on the module by using LDR circuit and controlled by
microcontroller [1−3]. The microcontroller sends message request to the owner through
GSM module for the on or off function. Based on the command microcontroller controls the
relay connected to the pump. Thus, the pressurized water is made to flow through the surface
of the panels, thus the panels are cleaned.