Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

Systems and methods for self-cleaning a surface of an object where an electrodynamic shield is mounted to a surface of the object. The electrodynamic shield includes one or more sets of electrodes atop a substrate, at least one or more sets of electrodes being covered in a protective film. A coating is applied to the top surface of the protection film. A signal pulse generator is connected to the one or more sets of electrodes. The signal pulse generator generates a pulse signal that causes the one or more sets of electrodes to generate an electric field. The pulse signal comprises a plurality of different pulse signals which have phase differences between consecutive signals, and the electric field causes a particle atop the coating to experience an electrostatic force and be repelled away from the coating. These pulse signals (including shapes, amplitudes, shifts, and frequencies) can be tuned to increase efficiency of removal depending on dust type and relative humidity.

Systems and methods for self-cleaning a surface of an object where an electrodynamic shield is mounted to a surface of the object. The electrodynamic shield includes one or more sets of electrodes atop a substrate, at least one or more sets of electrodes being covered in a protective film. A coating is applied to the top surface of the protection film. A signal pulse generator is connected to the one or more sets of electrodes. The signal pulse generator generates a pulse signal that causes the one or more sets of electrodes to generate an electric field. The pulse signal comprises a plurality of different pulse signals which have phase differences between consecutive signals, and the electric field causes a particle atop the coating to experience an electrostatic force and be repelled away from the coating. These pulse signals (including shapes, amplitudes, shifts, and frequencies) can be tuned to increase efficiency of removal depending on dust type and relative humidity.

A cleaning robot includes a supporting mechanism, cleaning mechanisms and a walking mechanism. The supporting mechanism is used for supporting the cleaning robot; the cleaning mechanisms are symmetrically arranged at the two ends of the supporting mechanism and can clean the surface of a photovoltaic panel; the walking mechanism is arranged in the middle of the supporting mechanism and can fix the cleaning robot to the surface of the photovoltaic panel and drive the cleaning robot to move on the surface of the photovoltaic panel; and the supporting mechanism can adjust the cleaning ranges of the cleaning mechanisms, so that the cleaning mechanisms at least have a first cleaning range and a second cleaning range, and the first cleaning range and the second cleaning range can be concentric circles. The cleaning robot is small and exquisite in structure and light. One person can operate multiple robots at the same time.

A cleaning robot includes a supporting mechanism, cleaning mechanisms and a walking mechanism. The supporting mechanism is used for supporting the cleaning robot; the cleaning mechanisms are symmetrically arranged at the two ends of the supporting mechanism and can clean the surface of a photovoltaic panel; the walking mechanism is arranged in the middle of the supporting mechanism and can fix the cleaning robot to the surface of the photovoltaic panel and drive the cleaning robot to move on the surface of the photovoltaic panel; and the supporting mechanism can adjust the cleaning ranges of the cleaning mechanisms, so that the cleaning mechanisms at least have a first cleaning range and a second cleaning range, and the first cleaning range and the second cleaning range can be concentric circles. The cleaning robot is small and exquisite in structure and light. One person can operate multiple robots at the same time.

A solar power system may comprise a back sheet that comprises an interconnect circuit coupling a plurality of cell tiles. A tiled solar cell, comprising a solar cell and encapsulating and glass layers, is inserted into the cell tiles of the back sheet. Each solar cell is individually addressable through the use of the interconnect circuit. Moreover, the interconnect circuit of the back sheet is programmable and allows for dynamic interconnect routing between solar cells.

A solar power system may comprise a back sheet that comprises an interconnect circuit coupling a plurality of cell tiles. A tiled solar cell, comprising a solar cell and encapsulating and glass layers, is inserted into the cell tiles of the back sheet. Each solar cell is individually addressable through the use of the interconnect circuit. Moreover, the interconnect circuit of the back sheet is programmable and allows for dynamic interconnect routing between solar cells.

Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

Devices and methods for cleaning an array of solar panels in side-by-side relation employ one or more elongated flexible elements, preferably implemented as translucent strips (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), anchored at their ends relative to the array of solar panels (12). Each strip spans two or more solar panels, and is wind-displaceable so as to contribute to cleaning of at least two of the solar panels (12).

An earth mount utility-scale solar photovoltaic array with modules on the ground. The site can have support regions with an elevation between −20 cm and 40 cm of the ground. Implementations may include elevations between −10 cm and 30 cm of the ground surface; more than one row of modules; connectors joining adjacent modules; modules flexibly joined in one or two dimensions; connectors joining 2-4 modules; connectors electrically bonding some modules to adjacent modules; contact points controlling a direction of a ray normal to a plane of the modules; a dc output, and a DC:AC output voltage ratio is 1.02, 1.9, 1.21.8, or 1.31.7. These or other implementations may configure the module arrangement such that the arrangement can withstanding wind speeds greater than 150 mph without containing stowing or extreme dampening functionality. Implementations of the described techniques may include solar arrays and related methods.