A system for cleaning solar panels (photo-electric and/or water heating etc.) is driven by fluid driven motor (water and/or air driven motor) such as a piston motor or a vane motor. Some or all of the outlet water/air from the motor is used for cleaning the panels. The motor preferably also operates a cleaning mechanism, such as a rotating and or linear brush arrangement. The motor, gear system and/or components may be made from plastic. Optionally, a cleaning device travels along the edges of panels, optionally without requiring an additional rail structure. The cleaning device optionally includes a trailing water/air supply hose. In some embodiments, electrical components of the cleaning device are powered by an internal power supply. Control is optionally via an electrically actuated valve, a timer (for example a real time clock), a wireless receiver and/or a controller.

A system for cleaning solar panels (photo-electric and/or water heating etc.) is driven by fluid driven motor (water and/or air driven motor) such as a piston motor or a vane motor. Some or all of the outlet water/air from the motor is used for cleaning the panels. The motor preferably also operates a cleaning mechanism, such as a rotating and or linear brush arrangement. The motor, gear system and/or components may be made from plastic. Optionally, a cleaning device travels along the edges of panels, optionally without requiring an additional rail structure. The cleaning device optionally includes a trailing water/air supply hose. In some embodiments, electrical components of the cleaning device are powered by an internal power supply. Control is optionally via an electrically actuated valve, a timer (for example a real time clock), a wireless receiver and/or a controller.

A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is disclosed. The monitoring system includes a sensor that is configured to generate sensor data that reflects an attribute of the property; a solar panel that is configured to generate and output power; and a monitor control unit. The monitor control unit is configured to: monitor the power outputted by the solar panel; determine that the power outputted by the solar panel has deviated from an expected power range; based on determining that the power outputted by the solar panel has deviated from the expected power range, access the sensor data; based on the power outputted by the solar panel and the sensor data, determine a likely cause of the deviation from the expected power range; and determine an action to perform to remediate the likely cause of the deviation from the expected power range.

A self-propelled robot that self-travels on a structure having a flat surface to perform a cleaning operation, the self-propelled robot includes a robot main body (2), a controller (30) that controls movement of the moving unit in a forward direction and a rearward direction, an operation unit (12a) that is controlled by the controller, and a pair of detection units that are first and second detection units, each of which functioning to detect if there is the flat surface of the structure beneath the detection unit. Wherein, seen from a top view of the robot, the first detection unit and the second detection unit (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) are both arranged at the front end of the robot.

A self-propelled robot that self-travels on a structure having a flat surface to perform a cleaning operation, the self-propelled robot includes a robot main body (2), a controller (30) that controls movement of the moving unit in a forward direction and a rearward direction, an operation unit (12a) that is controlled by the controller, and a pair of detection units that are first and second detection units, each of which functioning to detect if there is the flat surface of the structure beneath the detection unit. Wherein, seen from a top view of the robot, the first detection unit and the second detection unit (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) are both arranged at the front end of the robot.

Cleaning system including a brush assembly for cleaning solar panels. The brush assembly has at least one rotatable brush having a rotational axis. The rotatable brush includes a plurality of sets of bristles, each extending outwardly from a core. A shaft extends through the core of the brush. The shaft is a telescoping shaft, which is configured to retract and expand to create an elongated brush assembly. An apparatus, system, and method for conveying an assembly along a track. A rail includes a first planar side, a second planar side, and a third planar side. The first, second and third planar sides are arranged to form at least two acute angles ranging between 50 degrees and 80 degrees. A carriage assembly includes a drive wheel and at least two rollers. The drive wheel is configured to contact the second planar side and is configured to translate the assembly along the rail. The two rollers are configured to contact the two other sides to maintain the carriage in contact with the rail.

Cleaning system including a brush assembly for cleaning solar panels. The brush assembly has at least one rotatable brush having a rotational axis. The rotatable brush includes a plurality of sets of bristles, each extending outwardly from a core. A shaft extends through the core of the brush. The shaft is a telescoping shaft, which is configured to retract and expand to create an elongated brush assembly. An apparatus, system, and method for conveying an assembly along a track. A rail includes a first planar side, a second planar side, and a third planar side. The first, second and third planar sides are arranged to form at least two acute angles ranging between 50 degrees and 80 degrees. A carriage assembly includes a drive wheel and at least two rollers. The drive wheel is configured to contact the second planar side and is configured to translate the assembly along the rail. The two rollers are configured to contact the two other sides to maintain the carriage in contact with the rail.

A surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface of a solar panel, wherein the surface cleaning device may include a motion delay assembly, a first dust carrying member and a second dust carrying member that are coupled to a motor; wherein the first dust carrier member and the second dust carrier member are wipers. The motor is configured to cyclically move the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member along a path. The motion delay assembly is configured to cyclically introduce a momentarily delay in a progress of the first dust carrying member along the path, while the second dust carrying member contacts the surface thereby reducing a gap between the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member, compress the air within the gap, and induce air that is compressed in the gap to exit the gap and progress along the surface and remove dust that precedes the second dust carrying member.

A surface cleaning device for cleaning a surface of a solar panel, wherein the surface cleaning device may include a motion delay assembly, a first dust carrying member and a second dust carrying member that are coupled to a motor; wherein the first dust carrier member and the second dust carrier member are wipers. The motor is configured to cyclically move the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member along a path. The motion delay assembly is configured to cyclically introduce a momentarily delay in a progress of the first dust carrying member along the path, while the second dust carrying member contacts the surface thereby reducing a gap between the first dust carrying member and the second dust carrying member, compress the air within the gap, and induce air that is compressed in the gap to exit the gap and progress along the surface and remove dust that precedes the second dust carrying member.

Provide a solar panel cleaning system that uses rainwater to sufficiently remove dirt adhering to the surface of the solar panel without imposing a load on the solar panel.

The solar panel cleaning system includes a plurality of solar panels arranged in a row, a pair of rails provided on both sides and extending in a horizontal direction, a double-column structural frame movably supported on the rails on both sides and arranged to surround the upper surfaces of the solar panels, a moving device for moving the structural frame along the rails, a rotating brush provided on the structural frame and arranged to be able to come into contact with the upper surfaces of the solar panels, a drive device for rotating the rotating brush, a water catching unit provided to spread over the upper surface of the structural frame to collect rainwater, and a water pouring unit for pouring the rainwater into the rotating brush.