Channel: Mashable

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: cleaningdustingmashablepanelssolar panelsmitsolarsolar panel cleaningelectrostatic repulsionoff

Description: Researchers at MIT have come up with a way to clean solar panels without using any water. It's estimated that washing solar panels requires about 10 billion gallons per year. But leaving panels dusty or dirty means their efficacy is significantly reduced. The MIT-proposed method uses electrostatic repulsion, where an electrode that glides above panel electrically charges dust particles and subsequently repels them. Mashable is your source for the latest in tech, culture, and entertainment.   Subscribe to Mashable: bit.ly/2DR64oM Follow us: Check out mashable.com Facebook: facebook.com/mashable Twitter: twitter.com/mashable Instagram: instagram.com/mashable