Vibration Characterization of Self-Cleaning Solar Panels with Piezoceramic Actuation

摘要

The build-up of dust on solar panels in Martian or Lunar surface environments decreases the efficiency of the solar cells and can severely impact mission operations. Initial tests of a solar panel equipped with piezoceramic actuators indicate that mechanical vibration can remove dust, restoring up to 95% of the power-generating capacity of the photovoltaic cells. In order to understand the types of vibrations that create the best dust-cleaning motion, laser vibrometry was used to characterize resonances in an experimental solar panel mock-up fabricated with nine distributed piezoceramic actuators. Preliminary vibration testing revealed several types of excitation that remove the fine Martian soil simulant applied to the panel surface. More detailed vibration tests were performed to cover a wider range of excitation frequencies and identify resonant peaks of interest. The study was focused on the modal testing of the solar panel mock-up in order to gain insight into the active structural response. The results can be compared to finite element models of the panel that will be used to identify and optimize the most efficient dust removal excitation mechanisms.