Title: Enhancing photovoltaic power efficiency: a comparative analysis of unprotected, anti-dust coated, and IoT-enabled automatic cleaning systems in solar energy conversion

Authors: Abed Oubari; Khalid Nouneh; Elmehdi Hamzaoui; Hafid Amayoud; Khalid Fathi

Addresses: Laboratory of Materials Physics and Subatomic, Faculty of Sciences, University Ibn Tofail, BP 133, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco; Technical and Logistics Division, National Centre for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (CNESTEN), BP 1382 RP 10001 Rabat, Morocco ' Laboratory of Materials Physics and Subatomic, Faculty of Sciences, University Ibn Tofail, BP 133, 14000, Kenitra, Morocco ' Technical and Logistics Division, National Centre for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (CNESTEN), BP 1382 RP 10001 Rabat, Morocco ' Technical and Logistics Division, National Centre for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (CNESTEN), BP 1382 RP 10001 Rabat, Morocco ' Technical and Logistics Division, National Centre for Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology (CNESTEN), BP 1382 RP 10001 Rabat, Morocco

Abstract: Solar panel efficiency can be affected by various factors, including dust. In this study, we compared the efficiency of three solar panels over a period of three months. One panel (PV1) is cleaned daily using an intelligent automatic IoT-based system that protects it from natural threats such as high temperatures, humidity, dust, and bird droppings. Another panel (PV2) is coated with a commercial anti-dust coating, while the third one (PV3) is unprotected and used as a reference. Data on current, voltage, solar radiation, temperature, and humidity are collected using an electronic board based on ESP32. Data are recorded on Google Sheets. Among the three panels, PV3 has experienced a 15.38% loss in efficiency, while PV2 has undergone a 7.91% decrease. However, the efficiency of PV1 has decreased by 5.24%. The intelligent cleaning system uses 1.92 litres of water per month and needs 35 Wh daily to perform the cleaning operation.

Keywords: anti-soiling coating; energy conversion; ESP32; IoT automatic cleaning; photovoltaic efficiency; solar panel.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPEC.2025.145345

International Journal of Power and Energy Conversion, 2025 Vol.16 No.2, pp.160 - 175

Received: 24 Apr 2024
Accepted: 23 May 2024
Published online: 31 Mar 2025 *

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