Solar Panel Cleaning Robot Using Embedded System

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are an important source of renewable energy, but dust, dirt and environmental particles accumulate on the panel surface and reduce the useful solar radiation reaching the cells. Regular cleaning is therefore an important maintenance activity. Manual cleaning requires repeated human effort, time and water and can be difficult or unsafe for large or inclined installations. This paper reviews solar-panel cleaning robot technologies and presents the design of a project-scale embedded cleaning robot. Existing approaches including brush-based cleaning, water-assisted cleaning, suction mechanisms, self-propelled robots, Arduino-based systems, ultrasonic sensing and computer vision are reviewed. Based on the reviewed literature and the project hardware configuration, the proposed robot uses Arduino Uno, L298N motor-driver circuitry, 12 V geared DC motors, a 775 DC motor with a nylon brush, a water pump, a lithium-ion battery with 3S,3P BMS, a DC-DC step-down converter and HC-05 Bluetooth communication. The paper covers the problem statement, objectives, literature review, proposed architecture, hardware and software configuration, methodology, implementation, evaluation, limitations and future scope. Numerical performance values are not claimed where experimental measurements are unavailable.

Introduction

The Solar Panel Cleaning Robot is an automated system designed to remove dust and dirt from photovoltaic (PV) panels to help maintain their efficiency and power output. Dust accumulation reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the panel surface, while manual cleaning requires considerable time, labour, and water, particularly in large or rooftop installations.

The main objective of this project is to develop a cost-effective robot that automates solar-panel cleaning, reduces human effort, minimizes maintenance costs, and supports improved energy generation.

The proposed system uses an Arduino Uno as its central controller, 12 V geared DC motors and rubber wheels for movement, a 775 DC motor with a nylon brush for cleaning, and a water pump for wet cleaning. An L298N motor driver controls the wheel motors, while an HC-05 Bluetooth module enables wireless operation through a mobile device. A lithium-ion battery pack with a battery management system (BMS), DC-DC step-down converter, MPPT charge controller, and solar panel provide and manage the system's power supply.

The literature review examines different solar-panel cleaning technologies, including suction-based robots, modular brush-and-water systems, solar-powered cleaners, Arduino-based systems, self-propelled robots, and sensor-assisted cleaning mechanisms. Previous studies demonstrate the potential of robotic cleaning to reduce manual labour and improve maintenance. However, challenges remain in achieving reliable traction, mechanical stability, autonomous navigation, and effective sensing without increasing system cost and complexity.

The proposed methodology involves designing the mechanical frame, integrating the movement and cleaning mechanisms, developing the power supply, connecting Bluetooth communication, and programming the Arduino using the Arduino IDE. The prototype is tested through movement, brush operation, water-pump operation, and integrated cleaning experiments. Its performance can be evaluated by measuring solar-panel voltage and current before and after cleaning under comparable environmental conditions and calculating the corresponding power change.

The main advantages of the system include reduced manual effort, simple embedded control, wireless operation, and the ability to perform both dry and wet cleaning. However, the basic prototype requires user control and does not provide fully autonomous navigation. Other limitations include traction on inclined panels, water management, battery operating time, motor-driver constraints, and the absence of edge and obstacle detection.

Future improvements may include ultrasonic or infrared sensors, automatic navigation, dirt detection, battery and water-level monitoring, IoT-based remote supervision, and optimized brush pressure and traction.

In conclusion, the Solar Panel Cleaning Robot provides a practical and economical approach to automated photovoltaic panel maintenance. By combining embedded control, mechanical brushing, optional water spraying, and Bluetooth communication, the project demonstrates how automation can simplify solar-panel cleaning and support efficient maintenance. Further development in sensing, navigation, and power management could make the system more autonomous, reliable, and suitable for larger solar installations.

Conclusion

This paper reviewed representative solar-panel cleaning technologies and presented a project-oriented embedded cleaning robot. Existing research includes suction mechanisms, modular brush-and-water systems, solar-powered robots, Arduino-based cleaners, self-propelled mechanisms and advanced robots using vision and ultrasonic sensing. The proposed project adopts the essential functions in a compact architecture using Arduino Uno, L298N motor-driver circuitry, 12 V geared motors, a 775 motor with a nylon brush, a water pump, a lithium-ion battery with BMS, a DC-DC converter and Bluetooth communication. The design provides a suitable academic prototype for demonstrating embedded control and robotic cleaning. Future work can add autonomous sensing, navigation, monitoring and IoT capabilities.

References

[1] Wang, Jingshu, Xiao, Xu, Gong Heng-xiang, and Zou Zheng, “Sucker’s Reliability Analysis of Photovoltaic Panel Cleaning Robot,” 2018, doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/383/1/012056. [2] K. Chailoet, Eakkachai, and Pengwang, “Assembly of Modular Robot for Cleaning Various Length of Solar Panels,” 2019, doi: 10.1088/1757-899X/639/1/01201. [3] S. Kumar S., Shivashankar, and KeshavaMurthy, “Solar Powered PV Panel Cleaning Robot,” Proc. IEEE RTEICT, 2020, doi: 10.1109/RTEICT49044.2020.931554. [4] M. R. Habib et al., “Automatic Solar Panel Cleaning System Based on Arduino for Dust Removal,” IEEE conference literature, 2021. [5] Rohini and Sharma, “Research on Mechanism Design and Kinematic Characteristics of Self-Propelled Photovoltaic Cleaning Robot,” Applied Sciences, 2023, doi: 10.3390/app13126967. [6] P. D. P. Tien, T. M. Nhat, N. H. Anh, and V. C. Pham, “Design and Implementation of a Cleaning Robot for Solar Panels,” 7th International Conference on Green Technology and Sustainable Development (GTSD), IEEE, 2024, doi: 10.1109/GTSD62346.2024.10674901. [7] Ayman Hani Marhoon et al., “Implementation of Microcontroller-Based Automatic Solar Panel Cleaning System,” IEEE ICETAS Conference, 2024. [8] Arduino, “Arduino Uno Rev3,” Arduino technical documentation. [9] STMicroelectronics, “L298 Dual Full-Bridge Driver,” L298 datasheet. [10] HC-05 Bluetooth Serial Communication Module, technical reference documentation. [11] “Major Project: Solar Panel Cleaning Robot,” Sri Krishna Institute of Technology, project presentation, 2026.

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Dr. J. Divya Lakshmi , Vikram , Tejas N, Anusha B N, Sindhu S S. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.