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Inspired by tree leaves, researchers in Egypt have created self-cleaning solar panels through vibration, eliminating dust without water or chemicals and maintaining high efficiency even in arid regions.
In arid regions, dust represents one of the main challenges for solar power generation. When it accumulates on photovoltaic modules, it prevents light from passing through and compromises the system's performance.
With this in mind, researchers from German University in CairoIn Egypt, they developed a bio-inspired technology that allows the panels to clean themselves — without the use of water or chemicals.
Innovation inspired by trees
The solution, created by Professor Mohamed Salama Abd-Elhady and his team at the Faculty of Engineering and Materials Science, mimics the way tree leaves naturally rid themselves of dust through wind and movement.
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The system uses vibration to remove particles that accumulate on the glass of solar panels, maintaining their efficiency even in desert environments.
The device performs two daily vibrations, lasting one minute each, which is enough to remove most surface dirt.
According to studies, this approach reduces the impact of dust which, in Middle EastThis can reduce module efficiency by up to 17% in just six days and by more than 60% in six months.
Operating mechanism
To generate the vibrations, the system uses a small electric motor with an unbalanced metal counterweight, electronically controlled and programmed to operate at predefined intervals.
Power can be supplied by the solar panel itself or by an external battery. In addition, the researchers applied an antistatic nanocoating to the glass of the modules, making dust removal easier.
Tests and results
The first tests were carried out in a residential complex in Cairo. After six weeks of exposure in a dusty environment, conventional panels showed a 33% loss in efficiency, while those equipped with the vibration system and special coating had a reduction of only 12,9%.
According to the researchers, in addition to improving energy performance, the system significantly reduces maintenance costs, as it decreases the need for frequent manual cleaning.
The team also developed an alternative version without an electric motor. In this version, the mounting structure is flexible and allows the wind itself to cause the panel to vibrate, replicating the natural behavior of leaves. The complete study is available at [link to study]. sciencedirect.com.
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