about SolarDuster
Autonomous. Water-Free. IoT Monitoring. Robotic Cleaner.
SolarDuster is a fully automatic Solar Panel Cleaning technology product by MEMIGHTY. It is a robotic machine with cleaning brushes and it is having an IoT (LoRa) Controller for monitoring and configuring operations of the machine from anywhere in the world.
SolarDuster is described by 3 major components:
- SolarDuster – The Robot
- LoRa Gateway
- Web Panel
1. SolarDuster – The Robot
SolarDuster consists of a solar panel for re-charging its own battery, thus it is fully autonomous in function.
It can detect obstructing object using smart ultrasonic sensors which are used in robot’s auto parking assistance.
It is installed on existing Solar Panels (Solar Panel frame). As per schedule, it runs parallel to the length of the solar panel tables and using the rotating soft nylon brushes it cleans the surface of solar panels. It is a complete water-free cleaning solution.
Technical Specifications – SolarDuster – The Robot
| Product Name | SolarDuster |
| Product Models |
SolarDuster for 1 meter SolarDuster for 2 meter SolarDuster for 3 meter SolarDuster for 4 meter SolarDuster for 5 meter SolarDuster for 6 meter *These are ideal models. As this is customized product as per site requirements, custom models available |
| Power Source | Battery Li-ion (Self-Powered by on-robot Solar Panel |
| Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh (default) *changeable as per length of Solar Panel Rows / Arrays |
| Control & Configuration System | Configuration using Web Panel from anywhere in the world |
| Cleaning Material | Soft Nylon Bristle |
| Mechanical Structure Material | Galvanized Iron |
| Cleaning Speed | 20 (meter per minute) (approx.) *Design specifications depend on various site parameters and dimensions of solar panel plant structure. Above specifications are for understanding purposes only |
| Installation | Direct (On Existing Solar Panel Frame) |
| Controller Connectivity | Wireless (upto 10 km Line-Of-Sight (LOS) |
| Controller Frequency | 867 MHz |
| Warranty | 1. Electronics: 12 Months repair / replacement warranty against manufacturing defects. 2. Mechanics: 36 Months repair / replacement warranty against manufacturing defects. |
2. LoRa Gateway
Product Description
LoRa Gateway collects data from all IoT Controllers (SolarDusters) and sends to the Web Panel (Cloud/Server).
LoRa Gateway can be connected via Intranet (Local Network) or Internet.
Technical Specifications – LoRa Gateway
 *Sample Image. Images are for representation purposes only. |
Product Code | SD-LRAGWY-A |
| Product Name | LoRa Gateway | |
| Frequency | 867 MHz | |
| Range | 8 km (Outdoor – Line-Of-Sight (LOS)) | |
| Compatibility | Ethernet/GSM | |
| Installation | Base / DIN Rail (*Tower Erection is required at a high location for gateway installation and Line-Of-Sight with LoRa Dongles) |
|
| Package Contents | 1x LoRa Gateway, Product Manuals | |
| Warranty | 12 Months repair/replacement warranty against manufacturing defects. |
3.Remote Monitoring Web Panel (Dashboard)
Product Description
Web Panel displays list of all SolarDusters & their status on its Dashboard.
If any fault is detected in any SolarDuster then alert is displayed on the Dashboard.
SMS/Email Alerts to concerned authorities (for example: Plant Manager, Maintenance Manager, etc.) shall be sent if internet is available.
Manual scheduling, remote configuration and remote access of SolarDuster(s) is possible over the Web Panel.
Web Panel also displays Health History, Event History, Real-Time data, Motor parameters, battery parameters, speed of SolarDuster(s), forward/reverse cycle operation, object distance, etc.
System Requirements for Server/Cloud
- Windows/Linux OS Computer PC (Server)
- Back-up power for PC (UPS – Uninterrupted Power Supply)
- Processor: i5 or equivalent
- RAM: 8 GB
- 24 x 7 Running capacity
- Suitable cooling
- Unique Static IP Address of the Intranet required (Unique Static IP Address must be accessible by any node of the user)
Technical Specifications – Remote Monitoring Web Panel
 *Sample Image. Images are for representation purposes only. |
Product Code | SD-RMWBCD-A |
| Product Name | Remote Monitoring Web Panel | |
| Product Type | License Key | |
| License Key Validity | 5 Years | |
| Package Contents | 1x CD-ROM, Product Manuals | |
| Warranty | 12 Months support included. Additional plugins/modules/features will be chargeable. |
Real-time IoT Monitoring & Management System
For monitoring SolarDuster – The Robots and remote fault detection, MEMIGHTY has developed LoRa Technology based remote monitoring plugins which can be added with SolarDuster to remotely monitor & manage SolarDuster robotic machines over a Web Panel (Dashboard).
There are 3 components:
1. IoT Controller (in SolarDuster – The Robot)
2. LoRa Gateway
3. Web Panel (Dashboard)
Why LoRa technology?
LoRa (Long Range in kilometers) permits inexpensive, low power and long-range connectivity for Internet of Things (IoT) devices in remote and offshore industries.
How it Works?
The IoT Controller in the SolarDuster robot consists of various data of SolarDuster such as:
- Battery parameters
- Forward/reverse cycle operation
- Schedules
- Object distance
- Speed of machine
- Event history
- Real-time machine analytics
- Solar Panel Voltage
- Charging Status
These parameters are synchronized to the central IoT Gateway at regular intervals using LoRa technology.
- IoT Gateway is connected to the server/cloud via Internet and sends all SolarDuster data to the Web Panel.
- A remote monitoring Web Panel is connected to the server/cloud and administrator of the web panel can monitor, configure, control and manage each and alll SolarDuster machines at various sites
Our Features
Water-free Cleaning.
SolarDuster uses brush based dry cleaning method to clean solar panel plants, so no extra requirements of water
Retrofit
SolarDuster fits on existing solar panels frame and as per width of Solar Panel tables.
Remote Monitoring & Management.
With SolarDuster LoRa – IoT based Controllers, Gateways & Web Panel, you can control & monitor your SolarDuster(s) from anywhere in the world using Internet.
Labour-free Cleaning.
Hassle-free 100% automated system for daily cleaning. Zero labour required.
Self-Powered. Solar Powered.
Rechargeable Battery powered machine. Battery is recharged using own solar panel of SolarDuster
Automated Parking Assistance.
SolarDuster consists of smart parking sensors to detect object even at high speeds for detecting end of solar panel row / array.
Auto Fault Detection.
In case of any failures / faults, SolarDuster alerts to the Web Panel for further course of action.
Case Study
The number of SolarDuster implementation depend on the solar power plants layout, some of the examples of SolarDuster implementations are as follows:
1. Horizontal, Long continuous Arrays (Rows)
If the solar power plant is built in a similar kind of a layout as shown by diagram above then N number of SolarDusters are implemented for cleaning of Solar Panel arrays.
2. Horizontal, Long distributed Arrays (Rows)
If the solar power plant is built in a similar kind of a layout as shown by diagram above then N number of SolarDusters are implemented for cleaning of Solar Panel arrays, provided that mechanical joints are to be fabricated to make long, continuous arrays as shown in orange colour lines below.
3. Vertical, Short Continuous Arrays
If the solar power plant is built in a similar kind of a layout as shown by diagram above, then tracks can be made suitable to connect either 2 rows, 3 rows, 4 rows, etc. (as per site requirements) which is as shown below. If the provision of mechanical tracks are made then the number of SolarDusters required shall be (N÷x, where x = number of continuous rows formed by track)
For example: If 3 rows are connected by tracks to form one continuous row / array of Solar Panel table arrays, then SolarDusters required are ‘N÷3’ as shown below.
4. Horizontal, Long distributed Arrays (Rows)
If there is a site where Case-2 and Case-3 are seen together then provisions in both cases must be taken into consideration