If dirt and other particles cover solar photovoltaic module surfaces, the effectiveness and efficiency of the modules will be reduced considerably. It is impractical to manually clean the modules because of the time required, safety concerns, and cost associated with cleaning the surfaces of solar photovoltaic modules installed on rooftops. There is an automatic cleaning method that can keep the modules operating at peak performance and have about 70% less maintenance costs. This technology is an I-closure developed UPVC solar photovoltaic module cleaning system. Our factory located in Ahmedabad, India has designed an automated and shadow-free solar photovoltaic module cleaning system that will increase the life of the modules and provide maximum energy output from the modules. This is not just another sprinkler. Instead, I-closure has developed a complete solar photovoltaic module cleaning system for the very harsh and difficult climate conditions of India and its customers.
Why UPVC Material Makes All the Difference
Over the course of 2-3 years, many cleaning systems have been known to fail primarily because of the effects of UV light degradation and thermal expansion (stress). This is precisely why our chosen core product is UPVC (Unplasticized Polyvinyl Chloride). This formulation provides superior performance, durability and long term usage as an appropriate solution for outdoor environments. UPVC is resistant to UV, able to handle a temperature range from -10C to +70C, and chemically inert against cleaning compounds; in fact, unlike metal based products that rust, and plastic bases that have the potential to crack; our product can be expected to withstand the test of time (greater than 10 years) while maintaining maximum structural integrity.
In addition to its long life expectancy; our formulated UPVC is specifically designed to minimize thermal expansion; therefore providing you with a sprinkler system that does not warp or misalign under extreme temperature changes; a common concern with elevated installation of sprinkler systems.
The inherent durability of our UPVC, as well as its anti-bacterial and antifungal properties; will minimize the overall maintenance required for cleaning your cleaning system. Therefore, you will not have to spend your time maintaining your cleaning system, as our product will continue to clean itself over the long haul.
Shadowless Design Maximizes Panel Output
Conventional cleaning techniques often result in shadows being formed which can block 15-25% of the efficiency of the panels. Our patented design does not create any shadows whatsoever by utilizing a unique ultra-slim profile combined with our proprietary positioning system. Our sprinkler heads only measure 12mm in height and are positioned so as to create minimal impact through shadowing at various sun positions throughout the day. In addition to this, the ultra-smooth UPVC housing allows for even less shadowing by reducing the surface area around each sprinkler head. We did not stop at just eliminating shadowing; we also positioned nozzles based on the principle of the golden ratio, meaning that no two nozzles would have spray coverage overlap and waste water. Each individual zone receives the water it needs to clean properly, without excess runoff of water from the system. Testing in a number of different solar installations across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra has confirmed that an increase of 3-7% in energy output is typical when compared to conventional cleaning techniques.
Complete System Components and Operation
Our solar panel cleaning sprinkler system has everything required to operate automatically: UPVC Main Distribution Manifold with Pressure Regulation, Shadowless Spray Nozzles with Adjustable Flow Rate Control, Automated Timer Control with Several Program Options; Water Filtration Unit to Prevent Clogging & Blockage of Spray Nozzles; Pressure Monitoring System with Low Pressure Alerts; Weather Sensor Control for Detecting Rainfall.
The system operates on a preprogrammed schedule, usually in the early morning hours when wind speed is low and there is little evaporative loss of water. In addition, the smart sensors within the system will detect rain and will automatically skip the operation of the cleaning cycle if it is raining.
Installation is very simple; you simply connect the UPVC manifold system directly to your existing water supply. The modular design of our system allows for easy future expansion; as your solar installations increase in size you will have the ability to expand your cleaning system as well.
Technical Specifications and Performance Data
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | High-grade UPVC with UV stabilizers |
| Operating Pressure | 1.5 to 6 bar (adjustable) |
| Water Consumption | Approximately 0.5-1.2 liters per sq meter |
| Coverage Area | Up to 100 sq meters per zone |
| Temperature Range | -10°C to +70°C operational |
| Nozzle Flow Rate | 2-8 LPM depending on model |
| System Life | 10+ years with minimal maintenance |
| IP Rating | IP65 for all electronic components |
These specifications may vary based on specific application requirements and site conditions. Contact IDIS India for customized system sizing.
Rooftop Installation Best Practices
There are several challenges for rooftop solar system automated cleaning solutions including high wind gusts, limited access, and structural loads; all of which contribute to the function and design of the automated cleaning system. To overcome these challenges, we built our UPVC sprinkler system as a lightweight structure that can be securely mounted on roof surfaces. The added load of the entire system is approximately 2kg/m² to the roof surface – which is well within the safe load limits for most buildings. The low-profile construction of the system, along with the use of reinforced mounting brackets, allowed us to test the system in wind speeds of 120kmph without failure or misalignment. To provide technician access for maintenance, the system is designed with strategically located service locations where technicians can access the system for visual inspections and maintenance without walking on the panels; this reduces the likelihood of damaging the panels during normal maintenance activity. The water supply can connect to either the existing rooftop storage tanks or to a dedicated water supply used solely for the cleaning of the solar panels. The cleaning system is designed to be automatically primed to accommodate varying water pressure conditions.
Mounting Options for Different Roof Types
You have access to various options for mounting your solar power plant based on your roof’s construction. For example, if you have a flat concrete roof, you’ll use either a ballasted system (no penetrations) or a penetrating mount (with waterproof seals). If you have an existing solar racking system installed on a pitched roof with rails, we provide adjustable mounts for different orientations of Solar Panels.
Ground Mount and Solar Farm Applications
Solar installations on the ground have generally different maintenance than solar installations on rooftops. Patterns of dust accumulation vary, and generally speaking, access to maintain ground mount installations is easier. Our ground mount solar cleaning system allows the use of zone-based cleaning thereby allowing for fewer sprinklers to be used and allowing for greater coverage area per sprinkler head. This leads to decreased complexity and decreased costs associated with installing the solar cleaning system. The benefit of our solar farm centralized control capabilities would allow you to independently program multiple cleaning zones which would allow for sequentially cleaned zones with a minimum amount of water and pump usage. The UPVC material would work very well under open field conditions, where you have greater extremes relative to temperature changes and UV damage compared to rooftop conditions.
Agricultural Solar Integration
Agri-voltaic farms offer incredible possibilities to create systems that clean solar panels and irrigate crops at the same time. By using one of our sprinkler systems to clean the panels and irrigate the crops, you can be very efficient with water usage and spend less on equipment. The nozzles can be adjusted so that there is an optimal amount of water for irrigation and an optimal amount for cleaning the solar panels.
Water Pump Requirements and System Integration
Choosing the right pump is essential for getting the best out of your system. A pump that is not powerful enough will hinder the cleaning process, while a pump that is too powerful might be responsible for wasting energy and causing harm to the delicate spray patterns. For a small residential installation using our system, the pump would need to have a capacity of between 2-6 bar and have a minimum flow rate of 20 LPM. For larger commercial applications, you may need larger capacity pumps that have a flow rate of 200+ LPM, depending on the size of the area to be covered. We recommend using VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) pumps, which save energy and allow better control of system pressure. VFD pumps are capable of adjusting the output automatically in response to the demand on the system, reducing operating costs by approximately 30-40% when compared to pumps with a fixed speed.
Water Quality Considerations
The length of time a system lasts and how effectively the system cleans depends on how good the water is. Most municipal waters will work fine with our integrated filtration systems; however, if your water has any specific conditions, you might need some additional water treatment. High TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) water will create mineral build-up on your panels regardless of how many times you wash them. Our system would provide water quality monitoring and, if needed, demineralization equipment for tough water conditions and our recycled water systems are becoming increasingly popular due to sustainability; our UPVC body construction can be modified for use with greywater and rainwater recycling.
Pricing and Return on Investment
Home system pricing is affected by installation size and complexity, as well as by your particular requirements, so the price can vary vastly. Residential Systems usually start out at very competitive prices, while Commercial systems have economic advantages through buying power. I-closure, directly from the manufacturer, does not have the cost of distributors, so we can provide competitive pricing and shorter delivery timeframes. Our Ahmedabad facility is designed for rapid customisation and quick installation throughout India. The actual return on investment (ROI) will depend on several factors including local electricity rates, cleaning labor costs, and improved efficiency of your panels themselves. Many of our customers have paid back their investment in 2-4 years and some of our customers in high-dust environments have received payback within 18 months.
Financing and Installation Support
We have a great deal of financing companies we work with that help us offer financing solutions for large installations. Lease-to-own and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) structures are possible for qualifying projects. For all of our installations, we provide support for site surveys, designing the system, supervising the installation, and commissioning. We also provide training programs for your maintenance team, so they can run your system efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many liters of water do you use each time you clean the modules? A: The amount of water used typically is between 0.5-1.2 liters of water for every square meter of module surface area to be cleaned, which will vary based on how much dust is on the surface of the module, as well as how often you are cleaning them. In comparison, this is much less than the amount of water used when cleaning modules manually. Q: Can this system be used with hard water or bore well water? A: Yes, our system contains an integrated water filtration system so it is capable of working with most water conditions. If the water is extremely hard we suggest that you do additional treatment to prevent minerals being deposited on the module. Q: What happens when it rains? A: The built-in rain sensors will automatically disable the cleaning cycle during rain, and then return to normal cleaning after it has dried out. Q: How often should the panels be cleaned? A: The frequency of cleaning the panels depends on the local dust conditions. Most installations can benefit from being cleaned every day during high-dust periods and 2-3 times per week during cleaner periods. Q: What kind of warranty do you provide? A: Warranty period will differ depending upon system configuration and application. Please contact IDIS India for up-to-date warranty information applicable to your project. Q: Can a new solar system be added to an existing site? A: Yes, our modular system allows us to retrofit our equipment to almost all existing solar systems. After visiting the job site, we will determine the best mounting solution based upon your configuration.
Ready to Maximize Your Solar Investment?
Dirt and debris aren’t going to stop your solar panels from producing power; our UPVC cleaning sprinklers automatically keep your solar panels cleaned so they can operate at peak efficiency. As direct manufacturers, we can offer the best prices on our UPVC cleaning system along with fast delivery and full technical support. Our engineering team is available to discuss your specific requirements for your installation; we can work with you to design an individualized solution for your project. If you’re interested in having your solar investment last well into the next decade through the use of our shadowless cleaning technology, please contact us at IDIS India today for a detailed consultation and quote. We invite you to come meet with us or visit our Ahmedabad facility to witness our manufacturing capabilities firsthand. Your solar power system deserves all the protection and performance that our UPVC cleaning systems have to offer.