A State-of-the-Art Self-Cleaning System Using Thermomechanical Effect in Shape Memory Alloy for Smart Photovoltaic Applications

Abstract

This research aims to present a state-of-the-art cleaning technology solution that effectively overcomes the dust accumulation issue for conventional photovoltaic systems. Although continuous innovations and advanced developments within renewable energy technologies have shown steady improvements over the past years, the dust accumulation issue remains one of the main factors hindering their efficiency and degradation rate. By harvesting abundant solar thermal energy, the presented self-cleaning system uses a unique thermomechanical property of Shape Memory Alloys to operate a solar-based thermomechanical actuator. Therefore, this study carries out different numerical and experimental validation tests to highlight the promising practicability of the developed self-cleaning system from thermal and mechanical perspectives. The results showed that the system has a life expectancy of over 20 years, which is closely equivalent to the life expectancy of conventional photovoltaic modules while operating under actual weather conditions in Dammam city. Additionally, the thermal to mechanical energy conversion efficiency reached 19.15% while providing average cleaning effectiveness of about 95%. The presented outcomes of this study add to the body of knowledge an innovative methodology for a unique solar-based self-cleaning system aimed toward smart and modern photovoltaic applications.

Thermal–Optical Evaluation of an Optimized Trough Solar Concentrator for an Advanced Solar-Tracking Application Using Shape Memory Alloy

“…The SMA’s temperature can be obtained by analyzing the thermal circuit illustrated in Figure 5 . Equation (1) is the general formula for the heat and transfer process, in which varying thermal resistance is applied depending on the heat transfer process, as shown in Equations (2)–(4) [ 1 , 34 , 35 ]. where represents the amount of heat transferred per unit length [W/m 2 ], is the temperature difference in [K], while represents the thermal heat transfer resistance in [K/W], and the thermal resistance for conductive, convective, and radiative varies for , , and in [K/W].…”

“…In a recent research effort presented by some of the authors, a solar-driven thermomechanical actuator have been proposed [ 1 , 34 , 35 ]. The proposed actuator has shown a thermal to mechanical conversion efficiency of about 19.15%, where the actuator produces about 150 N and 130 mm [ 34 , 35 ].…”

“…In a recent research effort presented by some of the authors, a solar-driven thermomechanical actuator have been proposed [ 1 , 34 , 35 ]. The proposed actuator has shown a thermal to mechanical conversion efficiency of about 19.15%, where the actuator produces about 150 N and 130 mm [ 34 , 35 ]. Additionally, the authors have studied the thermal profile in the studied are of Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) details and found that the actuator would properly operates throughout the year and does not require any maintenance routine [ 1 ].…”

“…On the other hand, the integration of thermomechanical alloy, in the shape of an SMA actuator, into self-actuation and tracking mechanisms via utilizing mainly solar energy to enhance the overall performance of PV systems has not been addressed. Therefore, in recent research efforts presented by the authors, a solar-driven thermomechanical actuator has been proposed [ 1 , 34 , 35 ]. The proposed actuator has shown a thermal-to-mechanical conversion efficiency of about 19.15%, and the actuator produces about 150 N and 130 mm [ 34 , 35 ].…”

Position Measurements Using Magnetic Sensors for a Shape Memory Alloy Linear Actuator

“…Other aerodynamic applications concern the design of morphing structures for the load control in wind generators among other aerospace applications [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Other interesting applications are the soft actuation of alternative robotic configurations such as origami-inspired robots [ 14 ], bio-inspired robots [ 15 , 16 ], controlled bending antennas [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], or robots with energy applications [ 20 ].…”