AI Automated Solar Panel Cleaning Using Drones

Electrical Engineering

Team 38

Christian Webber, Andrew LaVay, Alonso Valenzuela, Garret Baum, Peyton Henley

Summary

This project is to design an AI powered drone to reduce the risks/costs of cleaning solar panels. The Drone uses a custom trained AI that runs on-board along with a specialized cleaning system. The drone can either be utilized using manual cleaning controls or can be run fully autonomously using the AI.

Spring 2026 Palais Senior Design Prize nominee

Video

Research poster

Sponsor

Advisor

Portrait of Yang Weng

Yang Weng

Associate Professor

School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering

[email protected]