Student designs robot for cleaning solar panels

As the drive for energy conservation and efficiency continues, innovators, engineers and companies are re-examining every aspect of their operations to see where improvements can be made and technology adopted.

Musalem Barghouthi, a student at the Mechanical and Mechatronics Department at Birzeit University designed a robot for cleaning solar panels. This new competitive technology will mitigate the impact of dust on solar panels.

Under the supervision of Professor Ameer Sider, Barghouthi was able to overcome the obstacles he faced during designing and implementing his project. The robot is now able to clean all panels in different sizes and shapes.

The robot will help increase the negative effect of dust accumulation which can decrease the productivity and efficiency of the arrays and panels.