Embedded Files
Project Ideation
Project Ideation
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
1- Tell us about the purpose of your project. Which problem does it solve? Why do you care about this? What were you inspired by? Include images and videos of similar projects
Automatic cleaning system
Solar panels are a powerful tool for clean energy—but their efficiency drops significantly when dust, sand, or grime collects on the surface. In hot and arid regions like Djibouti, where dust accumulation is frequent and rainfall is scarce, this becomes a serious issue.
Manual cleaning is Labor-intensive, risky on rooftops or large farms, inconsistent and wasteful if done unnecessarily.This project solves that by creating a smart, self-cleaning system that uses automated water spraying triggered by user input or potentially environmental sensing to keep the panels clean and efficient.
As an Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineering student, I care deeply about making renewable energy not just accessible, but also efficient and sustainable .Coming from Djibouti, a hot and humid country with high solar potential, I’ve seen firsthand how dust and lack of infrastructure can undermine clean energy efforts. This project is a step toward practical, local solutions to real-world problems.It reflects both my academic background and my personal commitment to innovation in renewable energy.
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
2- Describe the project idea and general features. How would it work?
An image of the project without the electronic enclosure box
The Smart Solar Panel Cleaning System is a compact, automated solution designed to maintain solar panel efficiency by removing dust and debris using a water pump and spray nozzles. The system is powered and controlled by an Arduino, and can be activated either manually via a button, or remotely via Bluetooth from a smartphone.
The aim is to reduce the drop in solar energy output caused by dust accumulation, especially in hot and dusty climates like Djibouti, where solar energy is abundant but panel maintenance is a challenge.
The general features are: Arduino, button input, Bluetooth control, Water pump & nozzles, LCD display, Battery-powered and finally an enclosure box.
This is how it works:
Manual or Bluetooth Trigger
The user can:
Press a physical button mounted on the enclosure
Or send a Bluetooth command from a phone to activate the system
Water Spray Cleaning using 3D printing
Once triggered:
A relay activates the water pump
Water flows through tubing and spray nozzles mounted above the solar panel
The spray removes dust and dirt from the panel surface
Smart Timing & Feedback
The pump runs for a fixed duration (e.g. 5 seconds) to conserve water
A 16x2 LCD displays the current status: "Clean Complete"
Enclosed Power & Electronics
Housed in a laser-cut plywood box, the system runs on an independent battery, making it fully portable and deployable in remote areas.
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
3- Sketch your project: You may use pen and paper or a simple sketching tool like Microsoft Paint or Photoshop
Project Planning
Project Planning
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
4- Describe the Technical Modules that your project consists of
Construction Parts:
A laser-cut plywood enclosure that houses the electronics: Arduino, pump relay, button, LCD, and battery
Mounting features for the LCD screen, push button, and power jack
Fabrication will be done using:
Laser cutting (3mm plywood) for the electronics box
3D printed nozzle spray
3D printed drainage system
Input
(Sensing, Tactile Input, and/or Graphical Input)
This project uses two forms of input:
Tactile Input
A physical push button allows the user to manually activate the cleaning system
Graphical Input (via Bluetooth)
The system includes an HC-05 Bluetooth module, enabling control via a smartphone app
The user sends a simple command (e.g., C) to trigger cleaning remotely
Action
(Physical and/or Graphic)
This module performs the smart response once input is received:
Physical Action
A 12V water pump is activated through a relay, pushing water through tubing to spray nozzles directed at the solar panel
The pump runs for a fixed duration to ensure efficient water usage
Visual Feedback
A 16x2 I2C LCD displays real-time system messages:
“Clean Complete”
Brain
The system is controlled by an Arduino Uno, which:
Processes button and Bluetooth input
Triggers the relay module
Handles the LCD display
Manages the cleaning duration with timing logic
Power Management
The entire system is powered by an independent battery source:
A 12V rechargeable battery pack powers both the pump and Arduino (via VIN)
No computer or USB connection is required during operation
Power input is routed through a barrel jack on the enclosure front panel
This makes the system fully portable and off-grid, ideal for remote solar installations.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
5- Create a cardboard prototype of your project, demonstrating the project face as well as internal movements and mechanisms. Include a demo video and photos of the prototype.
Inside enclosure Box
enclosure box connected with the pump to activate the cleaning
spray nozzles on top of panel
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
6- Categorize your project’s User Features into: Minimum, Complete, and Nice-to-have features. List the required action and input components per feature.
Minimum Features: are the least amount of features that would demonstrate the coverage of all the technical modules and their complete integration
Complete Features: are the set of features that will complete your original project objective and vision
Nice-to-have Features: are the extra set of features that will make the project cooler, yet they need extra time, effort, and/or resources to finish
Minimum User Features
1.Manual cleaning trigger
Action: Water pump activation
Input: Push button
2.Cleaning status display
Action:
16x2 LCD screen
Input: Arduino logic
Complete User Features
1.Remote cleaning via Bluetooth
Action: Pump triggered via relay
Input: HC-05 Bluetooth module
2.Button-based local override
Action: Same pump or relay action
Input: Push button
3.Real-time feedback via display
Action: LCD screen shows system state
Input: Serial command
Nice-to-have User Features
1.Automatic cleaning via sensor
Action: Pump relay activated automatically
Input: Dust sensor
2.rotary encoder
Action:
Input:
3.App-based UI
Action: Enhanced interaction
Input: custom phone app
4.Solar-powered battery charging
Action: Powers the battery autonomously
Input: Solar panel + charge module
5.Cloud connectivity or data logging
Action: Sends status to phone/web dashboard
Input: ESP32 (instead of Uno)
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
7- What are the required electronic components and materials for the project?
Component/Material
Amount
Link
HC-05 Bluetooth module
1
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/kit-bluetooth-hc05-normal-hc-05-bluetooth-module-normal-6674?srsltid=AfmBOopQQJ11MDE-9Q9N36JOjRp48OgxNWI0xdmHYSbNq5AuaHxGBGyA&utm_source=chatgpt.com
Arduino uno
1
https://microohm-eg.com/product-category/arduino-development-boards/arduino/arduino-boards/?srsltid=AfmBOopr74zxzDajioVDDn6INwz1zLzLlkg0Dwh3PPficIUC8EKkBYRm&utm_source=chatgpt.com
16x2 LCD
1
https://www.amazon.eg/-/en/1602-Serial-Character-2x16-Display/dp/B0DJFLKC7Z?utm_source=chatgpt.com
12V water pump
1
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/dc-pump-12vdc-water-pump12vdc-with-in-out-outlet-7263?srsltid=AfmBOopxcYLVqAAm3Uwf8N0QIzjwiY4xHsmN5Z-RuRidK_TlbR_11Xhq&utm_source=chatgpt.com
Spray nozzles + tubing
2
Push button (12mm)
1
12V rechargeable battery pack
1
https://www.ram-e-shop.com/shop/category/batteries-chargers-rechargeable-battery-45?srsltid=AfmBOoqcN3oUk_f6m0SgqPByqhD50oP9dctV6f1dU7bqjEYa7tGfv3EK&utm_source=chatgpt.com
Barrel jack connector
2
cable clips
10
Jumper wires (male–male, male–female)
multiple
Breadboard
1
3mm plywood sheets
3
Screws, nuts, bolts, or hot glue for mounting
each one a piece
Cable ties and clips
25
Soldering kit
1
Spray paint(white and blue)
2
https://www.amazon.eg/-/en/Spray-Paint/b?ie=UTF8&node=21875024031
wall adapter fixed 12v DC
1
rotary encoder
rotary encoder
1
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
8- What are the project tasks and its time-frame?
We have 2 weeks so we will divide it into two parts, frist week wil be about:building and integrating and second week about testing and documenting
Task
Sub-Tasks
From:
To:
WEEK 1:
Electronics Setup
Wire Arduino with LCD, button, relay, Bluetooth, and pump
Bench test components individually (LCD display → button input → relay → pump)
8th
9th September
CAD & Fabrication
Finalize CAD designs in Fusion 360 (enclosure)
Export DXF for laser cutting
Fabricate plywood box with laser cutter
10th
11th September
System Integration
Mount electronics inside enclosure
Route wires through holes
Connect pump + tubing + nozzles to a small water source
First assembly of full system
12th
13th September
WEEK2:
Coding & Debugging
Upload Arduino sketch (button + Bluetooth + LCD)
Test pump duration and relay switching
Test Bluetooth control with phone app
Debug serial communication
15th
16th September
System Testing
Place solar panel mockup under nozzle
Run multiple cleaning cycles
Test button and Bluetooth triggers
Verify LCD shows correct feedback
Adjust timing/delay for optimal cleaning
17th
18th September
Documentation
Take photos of CAD, fabrication, wiring, assembly, and final system
Record short videos of cleaning cycle
Write project documentation sections
19th
20th September
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