Design of Automatic Cleaning System on Solar Panel Using IoT-based Wiper

Condition of the solar panel surface covered by dust and other particles can obstruct the absorption of sunlight, requiring maintenance and monitoring of the panel’s condition. The objective of this research is to facilitate human tasks in cleaning solar panels with an automatic cleaning device in the presence of dust and dirt. The methodology in this study begins with planning and designing to facilitate the construction phase of the tool. Data collection involves using a batch system or repeated data collection. Constructed tool yields an electric voltage on the clean surface of the solar panel more than in the dirty condition, with a voltage difference of 9.57 volts under a light intensity of <1000. The mechanism of this tool involves a single-channel relay module driving the cleaning motor (dust remover) and functioning as a sliding wheel. Dust sensors and RTC module are used in the reading process, and a servo motor moves the cleaner. The results of this process have been integrated with the IoT, allowing real-time monitoring of the solar panel surface condition using an Android device. It is expected that this research will assist the community in reducing costs and improving the efficiency of energy usage.


Introduction
Solar energy is one of the renewable energies that is used as alternative energy.The utilization of solar energy has been widely done, one of which is by using solar panels as a medium that can convert solar energy into electric power [1].One of the uses of sunlight energy is a solar power plant that utilizes the photon energy of sunlight into electrical energy [2].Indonesia is a country that passes by the equator and receives more solar heat than other countries, has enormous potential to develop solar power plants as an alternative to coal and diesel as a substitute for fossil fuels, which are clean, nonpolluting, safe and unlimited supply.The utilization of solar energy is used to convert solar cell energy into electrical energy, which is designed into solar panels [3] [4].
Solar Panel is a tool that is able to convert solar energy into electrical energy which is designed using semiconductors that have a large surface that is placed in an open room with direct sunlight exposure.Solar panels that have been installed have a changing output, this happens because it is influenced by environmental conditions such as light intensity, dust accumulation, bird droppings, water stains and erratic weather changes so that it can cause the output power of solar panels to fluctuate [5][6].Changing power output values from solar panels can cause damage to equipment in solar power plants, one of which is the solar charge controller [7].Therefore, to minimize the factors that can influence the value of electrical power output, a design or system is needed that can clean things that disturb the surface of the solar panel [8].
Based on research, there is an opportunity to increase the power that can be produced by solar panels by controlling the surface of the solar panels so that they can produce maximum power output by using an online monitoring system using the Internet of Things (IoT) so that it is very appropriate if it is developed to be implemented in large solar power plant systems to facilitate the maintenance process [9][10].Only the system implemented in the solar power plant environment can be used to monitor the electrical energy generated by the solar modules remotely, not automatically via the internet [11] [12].
Phenomena such as the process of inserting or removing energy, matter and/or other elements into the ambient air, resulting in the quality of the air decreasing to a certain level, so that it can inhibit the ambient air from carrying out its functions [13].Such as carbon monoxide (CO2) gas released into the atmosphere due to forest fires, burning, motor vehicle exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, factory chimney smoke, or other sources.Smoke from volcanic fires disperses dust particles into the atmosphere [14] [15].So it is necessary to monitor the condition of the solar panels periodically.Then a system was designed that contained a program that functioned to monitor performance and send warnings if performance decreased, necessary to prevent damage and decline in the performance of solar panels as a solar power plant using microcontroller-based wipers using an online monitoring system (IoT) to operate them [16].
The main purpose of this tool is to provide an automatic dust cleaning mechanism on solar panels.This is very useful because there is minimal exposure to manual solar panel maintenance technology and must be monitored directly and solar panel maintenance also takes a long time to check and remove dust on the surface and surroundings [17] [18].So with the technology in this research we can monitor the condition of solar panels in real time and remove dust that disturbs the surface of solar panels and their surroundings [19].This research also explains about automatic solar panel dust cleaning using a wiper based on the NodeMCU Esp8266 microcontroller integrated with IoT, which works by operating the tool twice a day, namely in the morning and afternoon [20].The tool has been programmed using a Digital Programmable Timer, which functions to control the time system automatically [21] [22].The 4 channel relay module functions to drive the motor driver as a sliding wheel to move the cleaning motor (duster).The HC-05 Serial Bluetooth module functions to connect from the Arduino Uno to the android gadget media to operate the manual system.Furthermore, it is hoped that this research will help users streamline work and maintenance of solar panels in real time so as to reduce operational costs.

Method
The technology creation process begins with the planning and design stage which is designed using the Proteus application as in Figure 2. Next, the tool construction stage is carried out according to the design stage.Then the testing and calibration stages are carried out using a batch system method or repeated data collection with the aim of obtaining accurate data.Then in the dust sensor testing process it can be compared if dust has been detected, so that the sensor will provide voltage to the relay and will activate the pump when the pump is active [23].This means that water will flow to clean the panel while the servo will move.The purpose of the servo is to move the wiper.After the process is active, the wiper will move down and up for 2 hours and then the pump will turn off.When the wiper stops, this indicates that the cleaning process is complete.Next, the data will be stored in a data variable which is then sent to the Internet of Things.After this process, it will be displayed on the prepared device [24].

Sensor Interface Circuit with ESP
In figure 1 is the NodeMCU Esp8266 circuit.From this circuit the position of the SDA pin on the sensor is connected to the D1 pin on the Arduino Uno.Next, the position of the SCL pin on the sensor is connected to pin D2 on the Arduino Uno.Then the GND and 5V pin positions on the sensor are connected to ground [25].

Servo Interface Circuit with ESP
To make this part of the series.First, digital pin 16 on the NodeMCU is connected to the output pin on the servo motor, then connect the ground pin on the NodeMCU with the ground pin on the servo motor.And finally connect pin 5 on the NodeMCU with pin 5 on the servo motor.

RTC Interface Circuit with ESP
To make this part of the series.First, the pins D1 and D2 on the NodeMCU are connected to the SDA and SCL pins on the RTC, then connect the ground pin on the NodeMCU with the ground pin on the RTC.

Motor relay Interface Circuit with ESP
To make this part of the series.First, the in relay module is connected to pin D5 on the NodeMCU Esp 8266.Next, the NC leg is connected to the 5 Volt battery component.Next, the ND section is connected to the pump as a water source.Finally, the Ground and VCC pins on the relay module are connected to the 5V pin [27].

Voltage Analysis
Based on figure 3, it is a voltage analysis which displays a comparison of the voltage generated on the surface of the solar panel in clean and dirty conditions from each intensity of light received.

Figure 3. Voltage analysis results
From figure 3 we know that the voltage generated on the surface of the solar panel in a cleaner condition is higher than in a dirty condition [28].And the difference in voltage between clean and dirty surfaces is higher with the lower the level of light intensity, where the light intensity is <1000 with a voltage difference of 6.17 volts, while the value of the clean state is 9.57 volts and the value of the dirty state is 3.4 volts.

Regulator Circuit Testing Results
The results of the regulator circuit testing can be seen in Table 1  From the data in Table 1, the voltage produced on the solar panel, namely 11.86 volts, experiences a reduction when transferred to storage to be used as electricity with an average output of 5.04 volts.A regulator output that has a higher value can provide several advantages.First of all, a high value can improve the stability and precision of the circuit output.This can help maintain the output voltage or current value as desired.In addition, regulator outputs with high values also tend to have a lower tolerance for input voltage fluctuations [29].This allows the regulator circuit to help handle changes in input voltage without sacrificing excessive output performance.Other advantages of this regulator circuit include the ability to provide more stable power to the load, thereby reducing noise or interference in the output signal, and increasing energy efficiency.

Conclusion
From the research conducted on the design of a solar panel cleaning system using IoT-based wipers, the following results were obtained: (i) The IoT-based wiper solar panel cleaning tool has been successfully designed to maximize the voltage generated by the solar panel; (ii) The utilization of IoT system as online monitoring in the operation of the wiper is highly functional because it allows for real-time assessment of the solar panel status during the cleaning process, distinguishing between clean and dirty states; (iii) The impact of the wiper on the voltage generated by the solar panel is minimal during high sunlight intensity, while the voltage difference is relatively higher during low light intensity.These results indicate that the tool is efficient in cleaning solar panels and produces higher energy when the solar panel surface is cleaner compared to when it is dirty.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Sensor Interface Circuit with Esp2.2.Battery and Solar Panel Charging CircuitIn figure2is the battery and solar panel charging circuit.From this circuit, the position of the positive leg pin on the solar panel is connected to Vin+ on the charger control.then the Out pin on the charger control is connected to the ground pin.Next, the positive 5 Volt battery pin and Gnd are connected to the charger control[26].

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Battery and Solar Panel Charging Circuit

Table 1 .
Regulator circuit by Testing Results

Table 2 Table 2 .
Pump and Servo Circuit Testing ResultsThe results of the Pump testing can be seen in Regulator circuit by Servo Circuit Testing ResultsFrom the results of the Pump and Servo Circuit Testing Results in table 2, it is found that the servo and pump values when on and off have the same and constant values which were carried out in 3 repetitions with the moving servo value being 0.170 volts and the pump value when on being 3.24 volts.This helps the tool work well because the voltage working on the servo and pump is in good condition.