SBIR Phase I: Increasing energy yield from dusty solar panels with a new generation of an electrostatic self-cleaning technology

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The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is in reducing environmental impact of energy generation and improving the reliability of solar energy generation. Across all market segments, solar power accounted for 36% of all new electricity-generating capacity additions in the first half of 2019. Utility-scale photovoltaic power maintained the largest share of installed capacity in the U.S. solar market but dust can affect power output. For example, the average losses due to surface contamination are about 7% in New York State, 15-25% in Arizona, and can go up to 100% during the dust storms in the Middle East and North Africa region. This project will develop a new cleaning method for solar panels. It will significantly reduce Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), prevent potable water wastage, and save lost revenue due to solar panel cleaning. This SBIR Phase I project proposes a new electrostatic method to restore the solar panel to 98% of its power capacity for a variety of soiling conditions. This technique will provide a new and efficient approach for cleaning the dust with negligible power consumption from solar panels itself without the need for an external power supply. This project integrates advances in laser-assisted manufacturing, modelling, thin-film solar panel manufacturing, photovoltaic panel testing, and large-scale installations.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.