Abstract:
The present invention is a cleaning system for solar panels in a solar park capable of cleaning a plurality of solar arrays without water. Some embodiments of the system include a first set of ground based rails positioned substantially in between two neighboring solar arrays and parallel to a length direction of the solar arrays, a second set of ground based rails positioned perpendicularly to the length direction of the solar arrays and including a plurality of sensors, a moveable transport platform capable of moving along the second set of ground based rails, the platform including two descent rails, a plurality of wheels, a position sensor, a first controller, and a power supply, and an automatic waterless cleaning apparatus positioned on the moveable transport platform and capable of moving along the first set of ground based rails along the length direction of the solar arrays.
Abstract:
A solar tracker waterless cleaning system for cleaning solar panels of solar trackers in at least one solar tracker row, each solar tracker having a length and a width and being able to be positioned at a pre-determined angle, the cleaning system including at least one waterless cleaning apparatus operable to clean a panel surface of the solar tracker row without using water, at least two rails positioned horizontally parallel to the solar tracker row, a support frame for supporting the cleaning apparatus and a controller coupled with the cleaning apparatus and with the support frame for moving the cleaning apparatus in the width direction and the length direction of the solar tracker row, the support frame moving over the rails and moving the cleaning apparatus in a width direction and a length direction of the solar tracker row while maintaining a pre-determined angle in the width direction of the solar trackers.
Abstract:
System and method for cleaning solar panel rows, with electronic descent control and potential energy recovery system, operating by modulated switching signals to an electronic switching device that converts DC output of a DC motor/generator to alternating current that is transferred through a transformer and rectifier to charge the system's battery. An impedance load on the DC motor/generator is generated during downward movement of the system's cleaning apparatus in order to control the descent rate of the cleaning apparatus.
Abstract:
An inspection system for inspecting a solar row having a plurality of solar panels, the inspection system includes a moveable support construction, an imaging device and a controller, the imaging device being mounted on the moveable support construction, the controller being coupled with the moveable support construction and with the imaging device, the controller being configured to cause the moveable support construction to move the imaging device over the surface of the solar row and to cause the imaging device to image a selected target area of the solar row, the controller being further configured to analyze images acquired by the imaging device for detecting defects of the solar row.
Abstract:
A solar tracker waterless cleaning system for cleaning solar panels of solar trackers in at least one solar tracker row, each solar tracker having a length and a width and being able to be positioned at a pre-determined angle, the cleaning system including at least one waterless cleaning apparatus operable to clean a panel surface of the solar tracker row without using water, at least two rails positioned horizontally parallel to the solar tracker row, a support frame for supporting the cleaning apparatus and a controller coupled with the cleaning apparatus and with the support frame for moving the cleaning apparatus in the width direction and the length direction of the solar tracker row, the support frame moving over the rails and moving the cleaning apparatus in a width direction and a length direction of the solar tracker row while maintaining a pre-determined angle in the width direction of the solar trackers.
Abstract:
System and method to predict maintenance windows, initiate and avoid cleaning cycles of robotic systems that clean solar panels. Using learning algorithms, the system and method is based on collecting, monitoring and conducting trend analysis from data received by the various robotic systems that effect the cleaning cycles, external sensors, sources and feeds.
Abstract:
Solar panels row cleaning system that can dock and lock itself at a docking extension attached to the solar row. The self-docking and self-locking is optimally used when the cleaning system is not working. Movement of a cleaning apparatus of the cleaning system is controlled to cause an anchoring element on the cleaning apparatus to engage with an anchoring element on the docking extension when in the docking position and thereby lock the cleaning apparatus preventing its movement in horizontal and downward directions. This is particularly useful when strong wind gusts are present.