Unlocking Efficiency: Parametric Optimization of an Affordable PCB Electrodynamic Screen for Self-Cleaning Solar Panels

Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) module surfaces significantly reduces energy yield in arid environments, yet traditional water-based cleaning techniques are unsustainable. This study presents a complete evaluation of electrodynamic screen (EDS) technology as a waterless cleaning solution, with a focus on dust removal efficiency and the critical trade-offs between energy gains and losses. Using printed circuit board (PCB) technology, a three-phase EDS system was designed and constructed, and its performance was simulated on COMSOL Multiphysics. Under optimal conditions of 50 Hz and a 66% duty cycle, the system achieves 52% dust removal efficiency while consuming less than one watt-hour per square meter during operation. The novelty of this study lies not merely in the hardware, but in the analytical lens applied and the holistic loss–gain methodology that quantitatively assesses, over a seven-day cycle, the reduction in dust-induced optical loss, the intrinsic optical transmission loss introduced by the EDS layer itself, and the operational energy cost of running the system. Rather than focusing on removal efficiency in isolation, this study enables a site-specific evaluation of whether, and when, EDS technology delivers a net energy benefit. By integrating material properties, local soiling conditions, and all major loss mechanisms, this study provides a low-cost and analytical tool for researchers and solar farm operators to assess the real-world feasibility of EDS cleaning before deployment. While the proposed PCB technology is not itself suitable for field deployment, it serves as a low-cost development platform for optimizing electrode geometry and excitation parameters prior to investment in transparent materials.