IOT-ENABLED SMART MONITORING AND CLEANING TECHNIQUES FOR ENHANCEMENT OF SOLAR PANEL EFFICIENCY

Abstract

The rapid adoption of solar energy as a clean and sustainable power source has led to an increased deployment of solar panel installations worldwide. However, solar panels' efficiency is affected by various factors including dust accumulation, shading and malfunctioning cells. To address these challenges and optimize solar panel performance, this research focuses on the development of an IoT-enabled Smart Monitoring and Cleaning System. The proposed system integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology with advanced monitoring sensors to continuously collect real-time data on the performance and health of solar panels. The system incorporates smart cleaning techniques. Traditional solar panel cleaning methods can be costly and time-consuming. Therefore, this research explores the integration of automated cleaning mechanisms such as robotic cleaners or self-cleaning coatings. These techniques can efficiently remove dust and debris, mitigating the adverse effects of soiling on solar panel efficiency. The benefits of the proposed IoT-enabled Smart Monitoring and Cleaning System are twofold: First, it optimizes solar panel efficiency, leading to increased energy generation and improved financial returns on investments. Second, it reduces the environmental impact by promoting the use of renewable energy and minimizing water consumption, as the automated cleaning methods do not rely on water-intensive processes.