Patent Publication Number: US-2011073143-A1

Title: Automated system for cleaning a plurality of solar panels

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Under 35 U.S.C. 120, this application is a continuation application and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/545,709, filed Aug. 21, 2009. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates solar panel arrangements and more specifically to an automated system for cleaning a plurality of solar energy generation modules. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Home and commercial solar energy generation modules are installed for many reasons. The primary reason, of course, is to reduce the cost of electricity to a home or business. Many people are also trying to do the right thing environmentally by trying to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. 
     The warranties for solar energy generation modules are for different amounts of time. All solar energy generation modules, however, collect dust and debris over a period of time. If solar energy generation modules are in a dusty area, they are even more impacted with dust and debris. They are also impacted by weather, panel mounting angles, smog, bird droppings and airborne particles. 
     Dust and debris can reduce solar production from energy generation modules as much as 5% to 25% and more. Solar energy generation modules which have not been cleaned can account for 30% less electrical output over time. Manual cleaning does some good, but on larger sets of energy generation modules this often presents major problems. 
     Conscientious users clean their energy generation modules approximately every three months. Professional cleaners typically charge between $5 to $10 per panel, so a typical system of 40 energy generation modules would cost $200 or more per cleaning. Additionally, when a building is three or more stories high, this may also result in accessibility problems, which can cause even more expense. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for an automated, photovoltaic solar panel cleaning system. The present invention addresses such a need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An automated system for cleaning a plurality of solar energy generation modules is disclosed. The system comprises a control mechanism, at least one tank coupled to the control mechanism, a feeder line coupled to the at least one tank and a spray nozzle arrangement coupled to the feeder line for dispensing a cleaning solution onto the plurality of solar energy generation modules in an automated, predetermined fashion. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overview of a photovoltaic solar panel cleaning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a photovoltaic solar panel cleaning system in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a third embodiment of a photovoltaic solar panel cleaning system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the Inter-Panel bracket and the C bracket in three different representations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an automated system for cleaning a plurality of solar energy generation modules. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. 
     An automated system for cleaning a plurality of solar energy generation modules is disclosed. In the context of the present application what is meant by solar energy generation modules are modules such as solar panels, concentrating mirrors and the like that are utilized for generating electricity. In accordance with varying embodiments, a control mechanism operates in conjunction with a tanking system and a spray nozzle arrangement to periodically disperse a cleaning solution onto a plurality of solar energy generation modules. Consequently, the build up of dust and debris are prevented thereby allowing the solar energy generation modules to generate power at full capacity. 
     Although the embodiments will be disclosed in the context of cleaning solar panels one of ordinary skill in the art readily recognizes the present invention could be utilized with a variety of solar energy generation modules and that use would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows an overview of a system  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the cleaning of the photovoltaic solar panels, concentrating mirrors, and windows enhances performance as the dust, debris, snow, and excessive heat that normally accumulates on a panel can reduce efficiency as much as 25% or higher. The system  10  includes a standard hose outlet  12 , a main tank  14 , a special cleaning solution (surfactant) tank  16 , a control mechanism  18 , a feeder line  20 , a spray nozzle arrangement  22  and a plurality of solar panels  24 . 
     In an embodiment, the control mechanism  18  includes an Application Specific Integrated Chip (ASIC). During operation, the control mechanism  18  initiates a cleaning cycle whereby water from the main tank  14  is mixed with a surfactant from tank  16  and fed to a spray nozzle arrangement  22  via the feeder line  20 . The cleaning solution is then dispersed from the spray nozzle arrangement  22  thereby cleaning the plurality of solar panels  24 . 
     One or more of the plurality of panels  24  includes a sensing device on each panel to monitor the panel&#39;s performance and relay said performance to the control mechanism  18  or other component. An example of such a sensing device is one that measures various parameters of each individual panel and alerts the control apparatus to any variance. The tanks  14  and  16  can be of any size depending on the desired use. For example, for industrial or commercial buildings, larger tanks can be employed. Additionally, metal treatment such as anodizing will be used where and when appropriate and all materials used will be non-corrosive. 
     Although the system  10  is described in the context of cleaning the plurality of solar panels  24 , one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the system  10  can be utilized in a variety of fashion while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the system  10  could be employed to modify the surface of the solar panels, for example Advanced Nano Products company Ltd, manufactures a product that can modify the surface, de-ice the solar panels, cool the solar panels, etc. 
       FIG. 2  shows a system  10  in accordance with a second embodiment. Components  12 ′,  14 ′,  16 ′,  18 ′  20 ′,  22 ′ and  24 ′ are similar to those described in  FIG. 1 . The basic unit is a control mechanism  18 ′ and two reservoirs  14 ′ and  16 ′, which attaches to the wall of a building, house, or similar structure, such as that shown in  FIG. 1 . The control mechanism  18 ′ includes a small photovoltaic solar panel  119  in the top area of the electronics control system enclosure. This small photovoltaic solar panel  119  and/or an electrical plug charges a battery  126  in the unit which drives a DC motor  128 , which rotates a lead screw (not shown) and drives a follower nut  130  to open or close the valve  132  of the main water reservoir  14 ′. 
     The secondary reservoir  16 ′ is controlled by valve  134 . The secondary reservoir  16 ′ feeds the primary reservoir  14 ′ by gravity (when the valve is open) and allows the “special dirt/debris removing, water repellent, water softening, deicing, surface-modifying, and cleaning solution” (similar or same family as Rain-X) to flow into the main reservoir  14 ′. When the reservoir  14 ′ is full, the third valve  136   a  and  136   b  is opened by the control mechanism  18 ′. Line pressure of the garden hose  12 ′ in connection with the main reservoir  14 ′ forces the mixture up the feeder tube  20 ′ to the panel manifold  22 ′. 
     The panel manifold  22 ′ is attached to a central panel or group of panels  24   a ′- 24   n ′ and has several spray nozzles  140   a - 140   n  that allow the mixture to spray out on to the panels  24   a ′- 24   n ′. Depending on the size of the mounting platform, a minimum of 3 panels can be sprayed at once, with the potential for 7 or more panels to be sprayed at once. Spray time is approximately 45 seconds per cleaning cycle. Dependent on local conditions, approximately once a week the panels will be cleaned by the automated system. However, any of a variety of different schedules could be employed while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The manifold  22 ′ is fed by a water line  20 ′ from the main reservoir  14 ′. In certain cases where the panels are on high rooftops, there may be a need for additional pressure. Accordingly, in an additional embodiment, a pump mechanism  144  is employed to provide additional pressure. This can be achieved by compressed CO 2  from a CO 2  capsule or the like. This embodiment is an auxiliary module that is only sold for use with third story or higher roofs or long arrays of photovoltaic panels, concentrating mirrors, and windows. The main reservoir  14 ′ is connected to the secondary reservoir  16 ′ by a feeder tube [not shown] that permits a special liquid combination to flow into the reservoir during the mixing cycle. 
     These functions are controllable by the “onboard” custom-designed ASIC that is powered by the rechargeable storage battery  126  and/or electrical plug. This battery  126  (a lithium ion or comparable type rechargeable battery) is charged daily by a solar cell  119  that is permanently mounted on the controller mechanism  18 ′. Alternately, a long-lasting non-rechargeable battery may be used where electricity is not readily available. 
     Also shown is a reclaim collector  148  that collects overflow cleaning solution that falls from the solar panels  140   a - 140   n . Accordingly, a reservoir line  146  feeds the overflow from the reclaim collector  148  to the water reservoir  14 ′. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a third embodiment  200  of the present invention. In this embodiment, a main storage tank is not included. Here, the control mechanism  18 ″ is coupled to valves  202   a - 202   b . Valve  202   a  is coupled to the surfactant reservoir  16 ″ and valve  202   b  is coupled to the water line  12 ″. The surfactant  204  flows with the water  12 ″ up the feeder tube  20 ″ to the manifold  22 ″ with the nozzle array  140   a ′- 140   n′.    
     In all embodiments, the control mechanism  18  is water proof so that in the event of rain there is no leakage. All parts are either high strength, die cast aluminum, injection molded plastic or other “off the shelf” type components. The brackets that hold the feeder lines in place are stampings in aluminum (clear anodized). 
       FIG. 4  shows the Inter-Panel Bracket  400  and the “C” Bracket  500  in three different representations. The Inter-Panel Bracket  400  is for closely spaced panels in an array. The bracket drops in between the 2 panels as it is very thin (about ⅛ inch thick). The “C” Bracket  500  is mounted onto the Inter-Panel Bracket  400 . The “C” Bracket  500  holds the manifold  22  and it is vertically adjustable. The “C”Bracket allows for the manifold  22  to be adjusted thereby providing “Angular Adjustment” capability to the manifold  22 . 
     An automated system for cleaning a plurality of solar energy generation modules is disclosed. In accordance with varying embodiments, a control mechanism operates in conjunction with a tanking system and a spray nozzle arrangement to periodically disperse a cleaning solution onto a plurality of solar energy generation modules. Consequently, the build up of dust and debris are prevented thereby allowing the solar energy generation modules to generate power at full capacity. 
     Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.