Airflow-assisted electrodynamic cleaning of sand deposited on solar panels

Soiling of photovoltaic panels owing to deposition of sand on the panel decreases the efficiency of energy generation in utility-scale power plants installed in deserts and arid areas. This problem can be solved using electrodynamic cleaning systems that utilize electrodynamic traveling waves or standing waves on solar panels for waterless cleaning with minimal energy requirements and without requiring any manpower or consumables. An auxiliary mechanism is developed to enhance the cleaning efficiency of electrodynamic cleaning, in which airflow is applied on the panel surface to improve the cleaning performance. This technology utilizes natural wind amplified by a passive slit placed at the upper end of the inclined panel. The wind velocity increased to approximately four times that of natural wind, and the cleaning performance improved, particularly in the highly soiled panel. This mechanism is simple, potentially inexpensive, requires no electric power, and operates without water, consumables, or manpower.