A Sustainable Waterless Cleaning Approach for Solar Panels: Influence of Tilt Angle, Coating, and Vibrational Mechanics

Abstract

Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) panels significantly reduces their energy conversion efficiency, particularly in arid regions such as the Middle East and North Africa where water scarcity presents a challenge for conventional cleaning methods. This paper proposes a sustainable, waterless cleaning technique that integrates mechanical vibration with a hydrophobic surface coating to address this issue. Experimental investigations were conducted to evaluate the performance of coated vs. non-coated panels, cleaned vs. non-cleaned panels, and the effect of integrating vibration with coating. Results showed that dust accumulation causes a substantial drop in performance, while hydrophobic coating alone has a minimal negative effect of approximately 4%. The proposed vibration-based cleaning mechanism, however, improved panel output by at least 25%, without the use of water. The system’s effectiveness was further enhanced by using double springs instead of single ones and operating at an optimal tilting angle of $\mathbf{3 0}$ degrees. This low-cost, sustainable solution is especially suitable for small-scale solar installations, such as those used for powering solar street lighting, offering a practical alternative aligned with environmental goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).