DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA – A collaborative research effort between the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST) and Samsung Electronics has led to the development of a groundbreaking self-powered system capable of efficiently cleaning solar panels using only wind energy. The innovative technology has demonstrated the ability to restore the power conversion efficiency of dusty solar panels to approximately 96% of their original output by removing 83.48% of accumulated dust.
This advancement addresses a critical challenge in solar energy generation: the significant reduction in efficiency caused by dust accumulation, which can decrease output by as much as 30% in a single month. The new system promises to lower maintenance costs and enhance the reliability of solar installations, particularly in remote and arid regions where dust is prevalent and water for cleaning is scarce.
Harnessing Wind for Automated Cleaning
The core of this new system lies in its ability to generate its own power from wind. Developed by Professor Juhyuck Lee’s team at DGIST’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, in conjunction with Dr. Wanchul Seung at Samsung Electronics’ Global Technology Research division, the technology integrates a wind-powered rotational triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with a three-phase electrodynamic screen (EDS) system.
Traditionally, EDS technology, which uses electric fields to dislodge dust, has been effective but requires high voltage and an external power source, leading to increased upkeep costs. A previous single-phase wind-powered EDS system proposed by DGIST in 2024 had limitations, including reliance on gravity for dust removal and performance variations based on the panel’s mounting angle.
Overcoming Previous Limitations with Three-Phase EDS
The breakthrough in the new design is the introduction of a three-phase EDS system. This advanced setup, driven by the wind-powered TENG, generates a high voltage of up to 1,383 volts. Crucially, this allows for the active direction of dust particles off the panel surface, ensuring efficient cleaning regardless of the panel’s orientation.
Tests conducted on the system revealed an impressive 83.48% dust removal efficiency, marking a 1.6-fold improvement over earlier designs. Furthermore, when operating solely on wind power, the technology consistently restored dirty solar panels‘ performance to approximately 96% of their initial power conversion efficiency.
Significant Benefits for Solar Energy Operations
“The key takeaway in this study is that three-phase high voltage generated by wind power is used to move dust in the desired direction, and it does not require external power,” stated Professor Lee. This self-sufficiency is a major advantage, eliminating the need for external electricity or the vast amounts of water currently used for manual cleaning. Solar panel cleaning is estimated to consume around 10 billion gallons of water annually, enough to supply drinking water for up to 2 million people.
The research highlights that the new technology will substantially reduce the maintenance burden and associated costs for solar farms. Its ability to function efficiently across a wide range of environments makes it particularly valuable for large-scale solar installations often located in dusty, remote areas like deserts, where traditional cleaning methods are impractical or resource-intensive.
Future Implications for Sustainable Energy
The findings of this collaborative research have been published in the journal Nano Energy. This development represents a significant stride towards more sustainable and efficient solar power generation globally. By leveraging one renewable energy source (wind) to enhance the performance of another (solar), this innovative solution has the potential to accelerate the global transition to a cleaner energy landscape by maximizing energy capture and reducing operational overhead.
