USM, Voltake Energy working on project to provide better cleaning of solar panels

NIBONG TEBAL, Sept 26 -- Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Voltake Energy Services Sdn Bhd will be working together on a project to provide a system to increase the cleaning rate of solar panels.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said the project would be carried out under the Public Private Research Network (PPRN) for a period of 12 months, involving a grant of RM60,000.

 "I have sent a notification letter on the PPRN project to Voltake Energy Services Sdn Bhd today for the implementation of the Customised Semi-Automated IoT-based Portable Solar Panel Cleaning project,” she said in a statement today.

She said the project, led by USM researcher Assoc Prof Dr. Mohamad Aizat Abas, is expected to provide a system to increase the cleaning rate of solar panels owned by the company as the current process is done manually and takes a long time and is not cost effective.

Noraini said the development of the system was in line with PPRN's objective to improve productivity and strengthen the country’s economic growth through demand-driven innovation programmes.

Through this project, it is hoped that we will be able to see Voltake Energy Services Sdn Bhd able to develop its own prototype or cleaning equipment and give USM students the opportunity to do industrial training, as well as job opportunities, she added.

Noraini said that for this year alone, USM had obtained three PPRN grants,  with two of the projects involving the development of a system in automating work process.

It is hoped that through the provision of PPRN grants,  it will open more opportunities for other industry players to revitalize the national economy and open job opportunities for university graduates, she added.

-- BERNAMA