The photovoltaic installations Solar panels have become one of the most widespread resources for obtaining clean energy through renewable sources. According to data from Red Eléctrica, individual self-consumption in Spain has 6,261 MW of total installed power. Thanks to the energy obtained through solar panels, it is possible to powering home appliances and devices saving a lot of money on your electricity bill.
However, over time, solar panels lose some of their performance, which is why It is advisable to carry out proper maintenance of the same. The most important thing is that the surface of the panel where the sun’s rays hit must be as clean as possible so that the photovoltaic cells can capture as much energy as possible.
An electrodynamic screen that cleans dust from solar panels
To achieve this, traditional cleaning techniques are used, something that for a large industrial facility can be expensive. However, the American company Sol Clarity has developed a technique to clean solar panels without the need for water. To do this they use to the use of electromagnetic waves.
Image: Sol Clarity
The Massachusetts-based company has devised an electrodynamic display, a transparent film that, with a small electrical charge, is capable of effectively cleaning any solar panelTo do this, it charges the dust particles with static and then uses an electromagnetic wave to sweep the particles off the surface of the panel.
The system has been called EDS (Electrodynamic Screen) and operates for one to two minutes a day. According to the company, with only 1 Wh of energy is enough to clean one square metre of solar panels. This would allow 500 photovoltaic modules to be cleaned every day with just 1 kWh of electricity, according to data provided by the manufacturer.
This way, the use of water to clean the panels would be significantly reduced when it comes to maintaining solar panels in photovoltaic installations. Best of all, this screen can be installed on both existing solar panels and those already in the factory.
The system It is composed of two to four layersdepending on the solar panel on which it is to be installed. In addition, an electrical power supply box is included. The tests have been satisfactory for the company, where it has been tested both in the United States and in Latin America.
The company has received $920,000 in funding from Equinor Ventures, Techstars and Friends & Family to support the launch of this new device. There are still no details about its commercial launch, so we will have to wait and see if it ends up coming to fruition.
Via | EcoInventions
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