What are the potential costs associated with implementing the electrostatic repulsion system on a large scale

Key Cost Components and Considerations

1. Coating and Electrode Materials

• The system requires a thin transparent conductive coating on the solar panel glass, typically about 5 nm thick of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) applied using atomic layer deposition (ALD).
• This coating forms the bottom electrode and can potentially be made thinner (down to 1 nm or subnanometric thickness), which would reduce cost and minimize optical losses.
• The top electrode is a simple metal bar (e.g., aluminum) that moves over the panel surface to apply the charge.
• Because the coating is uniform and does not require complex microfabrication (unlike embedded microelectrodes in other systems), it significantly reduces fabrication costs. Techniques like roll-to-roll deposition can be used for high throughput and scalability.

2. Manufacturing and Installation

• The manufacturing cost includes applying the conductive coating over large panel areas and fabricating the moving electrode system with stepper motors and linear guides.
• Installation might involve retrofitting existing panels with the conductive layer and installing the mechanical cleaning system.
• The system is relatively simple, does not significantly shade the panel (due to a mobile electrode), and can be implemented as a retrofit, which might lower installation complexities and costs.

3. Operational Costs

• The electric operation voltage is low (~12V), and the system uses negligible electrical power since there is no current flow between electrodes; power is only used for moving the electrodes mechanically.
• This implies minimal energy consumption, resulting in low ongoing electricity costs during cleaning cycles.
• Maintenance costs could be lower than traditional water cleaning systems since no water is used and no brushes or harsh mechanical scrubbers are involved, reducing wear-and-tear.

4. Challenges and Potential Additional Costs

• Moisture intrusion into dielectric films that insulate electrodes can cause electrical shorting and eventual system failure, potentially increasing maintenance or replacement costs over time.
• While the researchers emphasize the elimination of microfabrication expenses typical of interdigitated electrode arrays, the conductive coating and motorized electrode movement still represent costs that scale with the size of the solar array.

5. Comparison with Traditional Cleaning Costs

• Cleaning with water can account for about 10% of the operating costs of solar installations, especially in desert or dry areas where water is scarce or expensive to transport.
• The electrostatic repulsion system could reduce or eliminate these water-related costs, potentially offering significant savings in operational expenditure.

Summary Table of Potential Costs and Savings

Conclusion

Implementing the MIT-developed electrostatic repulsion cleaning system at large scale entails costs related to applying advanced transparent conductive coatings, installing moving electrode mechanisms, and maintenance to prevent moisture-related failures. However, these costs are mitigated by the system’s simple design avoiding expensive microfabrication and the reduction in water use and manual labor, which can constitute a significant portion of operational expenses in large solar farms. Also, the system’s low energy consumption for operation further reduces ongoing costs. Overall, while initial capital expenses for coating deposition and installation exist, the potential operational cost savings and efficiency gains can justify the investment at scale.