Systems and methods of using predicted and observed solar irradiance to optimize solar panel performance

A device comprising:

• a solar panel;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the device to:
• obtain a value corresponding to a current amount of power output from the solar panel;
• determine a value corresponding to an expected amount of power output from the solar panel of the device;
• compare the value corresponding to the current amount of power output from the solar panel and the value corresponding to the expected amount of power output from the solar panel of the device;
• and
• cause the solar panel to be cleaned in response to determining that the value corresponding to the current amount of power output from the solar panel is less than the value corresponding to the expected amount of power output from the solar panel by at least a first threshold value.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

• obtain a value corresponding to a current amount of power output from a solar panel;
• determine a value corresponding to an expected amount of power output from the solar panel;
• compare the value corresponding to the current amount of power output from the solar panel and the value corresponding to the expected amount of power output from the solar panel of the device;
• and
• cause the solar panel to be cleaned responsive to determining that the value corresponding to the current amount of power output from the solar panel is less than the value corresponding to the expected amount of power output from the solar panel by at least a first threshold value.