Development of a Dust Cleaning Robot Controlled using Arduino Microcontroller for Solar Photovoltaic Panel Maintenance

The electricity production of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels often decreases over time due to dust accumulation. Thus, regular cleaning is necessary to maintain optimal electricity production efficiency. Advanced cleaning technologies are commonly used in commercial solar farms. However, household solar PV systems may face challenges in adopting such technologies due to budget constraints or cost-effectiveness considerations. In this work, a low-cost dust-cleaning robot for solar PV panel cleaning systems, utilizing Arduino microcontrollers, was developed. The robot’s performance was tested under natural climate conditions, and satisfactory results were demonstrated in removing dust from solar PV panels to sustain electricity generation. This innovation system effectively addresses household solar PV systems' dust accumulation and maintenance issues.