Abstract

A method and corresponding control system for operating a tracker mechanism that supports a solar collector so as to enhance the effectiveness of wind-displaced cleaning elements on the solar collector surface. A controller (16) receives information indicative of current wind conditions, determines a cleaning orientation of the solar collector (10) that will enhance cleaning of the collector surface by the wind-displaced cleaning element (100) under the current wind conditions, and actuates at least one actuator (12) to bring the solar collector to the cleaning orientation. Also provided is a cleaning system for solar collectors which provides advantageous mechanical properties in the mounting of wind-displaceable cleaning elements to minimize localized stress at the attachment points which might lead to tearing and which facilitates replacement of the cleaning elements.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 40/10 - Cleaning arrangements
• F24S 40/20 - CleaningRemoving snow

Abstract

A wind-cleaned photovoltaic solar panel (10) has an array of photovoltaic cells (12) under a panel surface (14). A two-dimensional array of cleaning elements (18) are anchored to the panel surface at cleaning-array locations (20) on the panel surface, at least one of which is spaced away from edges of the panel. Each of the cleaning elements (18) is an elongated wind-displaceable element having a length less than 50 percent of a width of the panel surface (14).

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 40/10 - Cleaning arrangements
• B08B 1/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools

Abstract

Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 40/10 - Cleaning arrangements
• B08B 7/02 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned
• F24S 40/20 - CleaningRemoving snow
• F24S 40/40 - Preventing corrosionProtecting against dirt or contamination
• B08B 1/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools
• H01L 31/05 - Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells

Abstract

A method and corresponding control system for operating a tracker mechanism that supports a solar collector so as to enhance the effectiveness of wind-displaced cleaning elements on the solar collector surface. A controller (16) receives information indicative of current wind conditions, determines a cleaning orientation of the solar collector (10) that will enhance cleaning of the collector surface by the wind-displaced cleaning element (100) under the current wind conditions, and actuates at least one actuator (12) to bring the solar collector to the cleaning orientation. Also provided is a cleaning system for solar collectors which provides advantageous mechanical properties in the mounting of wind-displaceable cleaning elements to minimize localized stress at the attachment points which might lead to tearing and which facilitates replacement of the cleaning elements.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 40/20 - CleaningRemoving snow
• F24S 40/40 - Preventing corrosionProtecting against dirt or contamination
• H02S 20/30 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• H02S 20/32 - Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking

Abstract

A wind-cleaned photovoltaic solar panel (10) has an array of photovoltaic cells (12) under a panel surface (14). A two-dimensional array of cleaning elements (18) are anchored to the panel surface at cleaning-array locations (20) on the panel surface, at least one of which is spaced away from edges of the panel. Each of the cleaning elements (18) is an elongated wind-displaceable element having a length less than 50 percent of a width of the panel surface (14).

IPC Classes  ?

• B01B 1/00 - BoilingBoiling apparatus for physical or chemical purposes
• H01L 31/0475 - PV cell arrays made by cells in a planar, e.g. repetitive, configuration on a single semiconductor substrate; PV cell microarrays
• H01L 31/05 - Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells
• H02S 40/10 - Cleaning arrangements
• B08B 1/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools
• B08B 11/04 - Cleaning flexible or delicate articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto specially adapted for plate glass, e.g. prior to manufacture of windshields

Abstract

d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

IPC Classes  ?

• H02S 40/10 - Cleaning arrangements
• B08B 7/02 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned
• B08B 1/00 - Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools
• F24S 40/20 - CleaningRemoving snow
• F24S 40/40 - Preventing corrosionProtecting against dirt or contamination
• H01L 31/05 - Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells