Solar PV soiling mitigation by electrodynamic dust shield in field conditions

Performance of chemically modified reduced graphene oxide (CMrGO) in lunar electrodynamic dust shield (EDS) applications

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are projected to become the largest contributor of clean electricity generation worldwide. Maintenance and cleaning strategies are crucial for optimizing solar PV operations, ensuring a satisfactory economic return of investment. Nanocoating may have potential for optimizing PV operations; however, there is insufficient scientific evidence that supports this idea. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of nanocoating on the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels installed in Al Seeb, Oman. A further study was also carried out to observe the influence of coating layers on the performance of PV panels. One SiO2 nanocoated solar panel, another regularly cleaned PV panel, and a reference uncleaned panel were used to carry out the study. The site of the study was treeless and sandy, with a hot and dry climate. A data logger was connected to the solar PV panel and glass panel to record the resulting voltage, current, temperature, and solar radiation. It was observed that nanocoated PV panels outperformed both regular PV panels and uncleaned PV panels. Nanocoated PV panels demonstrated an average efficiency of 21.6%, showing a 31.7% improvement over uncleaned panels and a 9.6% improvement over regularly cleaned panels. Although nanocoating displayed high efficiency, regular cleaning also contributes positively. Furthermore, even though nanocoated PV panels outperformed the other two panels, it is important to note that the performance difference between the regular cleaned PV panels and the nanocoated PV panels was small. This indicates that regular cleaning strategies and nanocoating can further contribute to maintaining a more efficient solar PV system. Coating in many layers was also observed to influence the performance of PV panels insignificantly, mainly the fourth layer coating appeared to have formed sufficient mass to retain heat.

The electrical energy generated by photovoltaic (PV) modules depends on solar radiation, environmental and climatic factors as well as inherited system and component performances. However, the other external factor such as dust also has significant effects on the performance. This chapter discusses the deposition of dust particles on the PV module surfaces and their effects on system performance. The chapter begins by discussing the fundamentals of a PV module and dust particles originality, transportation and the factors that govern their deposition. Results show that the accumulation of dust particles on PV module surfaces is influenced by dust particles properties (size, shape and chemical properties), environmental conditions (wind speed, location and distance to the dust source, dust concentration and weather condition) and PV module characteristics (tilt angle, orientation and properties of surface material). On the other hand, the presence of dust particles on PV module surfaces reduces significantly the transmitted incident light to the solar cells which in turn decreases the value of the short-circuit current (ISC), maximum power output (Pmax), fill factor (FF), conversion efficiency (η) and energy yield. The rate of decrease of each parameter increases as the dust particles deposition density increases. In addition, the reduction in ISC, Pmax, FF, η and energy yield depends on the physical properties of dust particles such as mean diameter, size distribution and chemical composition. The effect of dust on the performance of PV modules can be eliminated by cleaning the dust particles using different methods. These methods are classified as natural, manual and automatic.KeywordsDust particleDust particle depositionEffect of dust on PV module parameters

It is necessary to understand the factors that influence PV power output to predict it in the short and long term. By tabulation and graphical explanation, this paper explores the impact of temperature and dust deposition on PV panel performance by evaluating the performance of a PV panel 120Wp. This experiment was conducted at Al-Nasiriyah city ( 31°03' N, 46°16' E ), environmental variables include those variables. Solar radiance, the temperature of the module, accumulation of dust. In January, the solar panel tested the effect of temperature, and dust on the output power and its performance. At 180˚ south, and 45˚ elevation, the solar panel is omitted. The results show that the solar panel operates at maximum efficiency reached 14.97 % during the month. The reduction in power due to the dust accumulated after 15 days of exposure to environmental conditions was 5%. .The photovoltaic (PV) panel performance is affected by high cell temperatures. The settlement of dust on panel surfaces may or not be uniform depending on environmental factors such as ambient temperature, wind, and rainfall. It is very important to investigate the influence of dust settlement on the operating characteristics of PV panels, to better understand the losses in performance attributed to soiling. The current-voltage (I-V) Characteristics of the PV panel reveal extensive information to support the degradation analysis of the panel. This paper attempts to understand performance losses in (I-V) characteristics under varying dust deposition are discussed.

We propose two-dimensional periodic conical micrograting structured (MGS) polymer films as a multifunctional layer (i.e., light harvesting and self-cleaning) at the surface of outer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) cover-substrates for boosting the solar power generation in silicon (Si)-based photovoltaic (PV) modules. The surface of ultraviolet-curable NOA63 MGS polymer films fabricated by the soft imprint lithography exhibits a hydrophobic property with water contact angle of ∼121° at no inclination and dynamic advancing/receding water contact angles of ∼132°/111° at the inclination angle of 40°, respectively, which can remove dust particles or contaminants on the surface of PV modules in real outdoor environments (i.e., self-cleaning). The NOA63 MGS film coated on the bare PET leads to the reduction of reflection as well as the enhancement of both the total and diffuse transmissions at wavelengths of 300-1100 nm, indicating lower solar weighted reflectance (RSW) of ∼8.2%, higher solar weighted transmittance (TSW) of ∼93.1%, and considerably improved average haze ratio (HAvg) of ∼88.3% as compared to the bare PET (i.e., RSW ≈ 13.5%, TSW ≈ 86.9%, and HAvg ≈ 9.1%), respectively. Additionally, it shows a relatively good durability at temperatures of ≤160 °C. The resulting Si PV module with the NOA63 MGS/PET has an enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 13.26% (cf., PCE = 12.55% for the reference PV module with the bare PET) due to the mainly improved short circuit current from 49.35 to 52.01 mA, exhibiting the PCE increment percentage of ∼5.7%. For light incident angle-dependent PV module current-voltage characteristics, superior solar energy conversion properties are also obtained in a broad angle range of 10-80°.

Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules significantly reduces their performance, especially in desert environments. Cleaning can be costly or not feasible. This paper presents a comprehensive study of PV modules performance in a desert environment, focusing on the impact of dust on power output reduction at various tilt angles to determine the optimal angle in uncleaned conditions. Seven pairs of PV modules were installed on the roof of the Faculty of Engineering in Jeddah City at angles of 0°, 15°, 25°, 45°, 60°, 70°, and 90°. The output power of both the cleaned and dusty modules was recorded over a 12-month period. The results show that dust accumulation, tilt angle, and rain significantly reduce power. The optimal tilt for maximum average output power varies with the seasonal position of the sun and the amount of dust on the module’s surface. After 183 days of dust accumulation without rain, the power reduction for the dusty modules reached 80.4%, 75.6%, and 60.2% at tilt angles of 0°, 15°, and 25°, respectively. In the rainy period, the highest performance of the dusty modules was observed at a 45° tilt angle, with a power reduction of 5.9%. Conversely, during the dry period and throughout the year, the tilt angle that generated the highest power output was 25°, with power reduction of, respectively, 28.7% and 20.7%. These findings provide valuable insights into the impact of dust and tilt on PV module performance and contribute to the development of predictive models and optimization strategies for solar panel systems in harsh desert conditions. This research highlights the importance of strategic tilt selection to enhance the performance and longevity of PV installations in desert environments. • Power yields of clean and dusty PV modules were measured over a year in a desert. • Dust accumulation led to power losses up to 80.4% during extended dry periods. • A 25° angle showed best year-round performance, balancing dust reduction and solar capture. • Insights are provided for optimizing PV tilt angles in harsh desert environments.

The snow on the surface of Photovoltaic module will affect the module’s performance of system and reduce the output power. In order to study the surface of solar photovoltaic module snow process and the influence of photovoltaic conversion efficiency, this paper studies the snow process by numerical simulation of a series of different tilt angles of solar photovoltaic module surface, and explores the relationship between the amount of snow and tilt angle. This paper also studies the influence of photovoltaic module snow on photoelectric conversion efficiency by experiment. At the same time, we set up the photovoltaic snow and photoelectric conversion efficiency measurement platform and make experiment of the photovoltaic panel snow thickness on the influence of photovoltaic module efficiency to explore the relationship between the snow thickness and photovoltaic module generation efficiency. Through the analysis of numerical simulation and experimental results, targeted suggestions are put forward to improve the power generation efficiency of photovoltaic power stations under snow conditions, and they may provide reference for engineering practice.

Current Lunar dust mitigation techniques and future directions

Solar Photovoltaic Panels are considered as one of the most powerful alternative renewable and sustainable energy sources. However, a major challenge is the effect of dust accumulation on the photovoltaic panels in natural outdoor environment as it reduces the transmissivity of the light on the surface of the solar panels. For many small communities, the decision of implementing mono or polycrystalline PVs should consider economic aspects. This study is a case study that is held at The British University in Egypt at El Sherouk city to study the effect of different parameters such as dust accumulation, water cooling and coating on the performance of both mono- and poly-crystalline panels at El-Sherouk City. The effects of high temperature and dust accumulation on different solar panels placed in natural outdoor conditions at El-Sherouk City are studied and the electrical performance of the solar panels is represented by measuring several characteristic parameters of dusty and cooled PV panels compared to cleaned and non-cooled panels. The effect of the tilt angle on the accumulation of dust on the surface of the solar panels is, also, studied. The mono-crystalline solar panels are installed at tilt angles 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60° for one month without cleaning, by any method. The results shows that the power reduction percentage is 17%,20%,25%,27% and 30% for tilt angles 60°,45°,30°,15° and 0°; respectively. Tilt angles 15° and 30° show to be optimal for the installation of the PV solar system, as they produce the highest amount of output power. It is found from the study that the accumulation of dust on the surface of different types of solar panels can reduce the efficiency by 30%. While the high temperature can reduce the efficiency by up to 10 %.

Collision-adhesion mechanism of particles and dust deposition simulation on solar PV modules

This study intends to better solar photovoltaic (PV) panel performance by employing anti-reflective coating and explore how dust affects solar panel effectiveness. Three equivalent solar PV panels were compared, having one of them being uncoated, the next one having a TiO2 nanomaterial coating, and the very last one having a SiO2 nanomaterial coating. PV panel surfaces are coated with superhydrophilicity TiO2 as well as superhydrophobic SiO2 nanomaterials using a cloth made of microfibers. With the aid of a photovoltaic (PV) analyser, the power output of each and every PV panel has been monitored during the month of November 2021. After one month of being exposed to the environment, the percentage improvement in efficiency for TiO2-coated panels was 7.66% and for SiO2 coated panels was 19.73% as compared to uncoated PV panels. Results demonstrate that SiO2 covered PV panels outperform the other two scenarios in terms of efficiency and power output. The frequency of photovoltaic panel washing is reduced by the application of coating. Different amounts of dust are evenly scattered on the surface of the PV panel in order to observe the effect of the dust. Additionally, as the amount of dust increases, the effectiveness of PV panels declines considerably. When 20g of dust is dispersed across the surface of a PV panel, its efficiency falls by 34.6 percent.

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation performance in desert environments is affected by surface soiling due to dust deposition. In this study, PV performance, ambient dust and weather conditions were measured continuously from June 1 through December 31, 2014 at a solar test facility in Doha, Qatar. Averaged over the seven months, the PV performance loss due to soiling was 0.0042+/−0.0080 per day for modules cleaned every sixth month, and 0.0045+/−0.0091 per day for modules cleaned every second month, in terms of a “cleanness index” based on the PV module's temperature-corrected performance factor. The daily change in a PV module's cleanness index was negatively correlated with the daily average ambient dust concentration, positively correlated with wind speed, and negatively correlated with the relative humidity. A multivariable regression model was developed to quantitatively relate the daily change in PV module cleanness index with the dust concentration, wind speed, and relative humidity. From the results of this study, it is clear that dust deposition on PV panels can cause significant loss in PV power generation in Qatar. Additional research is needed to refine the mathematical PV power generation performance and the ambient environmental variables, so as to enable accurate simulation of PV solar power plant performance based on environmental data.

The estimation of the power values obtained from photovoltaic (PV) systems is of critical importance for the reliable and economical use of solar energy panels. This estimation affects many processes, starting from the installation phase of solar panels to guiding electricity companies, energy management, and distribution. At the same time, it is necessary to detect the adaptations of solar panels in a timely manner and reach the optimal production capacity to provide the most efficient energy production. In this context, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) were used to estimate the power values obtained from PV panels. In this study, heuristic algorithms such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithm (GA), Clonal Selection Algorithm (CSA), Ant Colony Optimization, and Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) were used to estimate the power values obtained from monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic panels. In the verification of the estimation results, the most common statistical evaluation criteria, Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and Variance (R2) equations were used. The estimation values made with the PSO algorithm were the closest to the real values. 98.95% estimation was achieved in monocrystalline photovoltaic solar panels and 93.94% in polycrystalline photovoltaic solar panels.

In this study, Ni+2 removal from aqueous solution was investigated by concurrent usage of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a high frequency ultrasound (1.7 MHz). In addition to Ni+2 removal, presence of the high frequency ultrasound led to being cooled photovoltaic (PV) module. Studied variables were pH and adsorbent dose (AD). Results indicated that the Ni+2 removal efficiency increased with an increase in the pH ranging from 2 to 9. Furthermore, the Ni+2 removal efficiency boosted by an increase in the AD. However, no significant enhancement in Ni+2 removal efficiency was observed at the AD above 9 g. Generally, the maximum Ni+2 removal efficiency was about 79 % for contact time of 50 min at pH=9 and AD=9 g in the presence of ultrasound. At the efficient condition (pH=9, AD=9 g and contact time=50 min), using ultrasound showed 16-20 % enhancement in Ni+2 removal efficiency compared to no ultrasound usage. From heat transfer view, it was observed that propagation of 1.7 MHz ultrasound into nanofluid significantly has cooled the photovoltaic (PV) module. Moreover, an increase in concentration of nanofluid (AD) showed a positive effect on reduction of heat from the PV module surface and maximum generated power. Obtained data demonstrated that agitating nanofluid by 1.7 MHz ultrasound decreased temperature of the PV module up to 15.5 % compared to no cooling system.

This report explores using "generator knowledge" to determine whether a solar photovoltaic (PV) module must be managed as hazardous waste prior to recycling or landfilling. Generator knowledge is a legal term and existing regulatory pathway for making a hazardous waste determination that has been used by other industries but is a relatively unknown option to the PV industry. In the United States, a hazardous waste determination often acts as a pre-requisite to recycle or landfill a PV module. The results of the hazardous waste determination dictate whether the PV module must be managed as hazardous waste or nonhazardous solid waste. Managing a PV module as hazardous waste requires compliance with stringent U.S. federal and state hazardous waste law. In addition to increased management costs, which can be ten times higher, legal liability for PV modules regulated as hazardous waste is also heightened with both civil and criminal penalties for noncompliance which includes making an inaccurate or faulty hazardous waste determination. The most common reason a PV module would be regulated as hazardous is if it contains a regulated metal in an amount that equals or exceeds the toxicity characteristic limits. To determine whether a PV module exhibits a hazardous characteristic, the regulated person/entity must "apply knowledge...in light of the materials and processes used." In the absence of adequate knowledge to determine whether the PV module is hazardous, it must be tested using Test Method 1311 Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) or an equivalent EPA-approved method. Although TCLP is the predominant method used to today to make a hazardous waste determination for PV modules, evidence from this study concludes it is not practical to TCLP test every PV module even in a single utility-scale installation, and a scalable solution is needed. This study finds that knowledge-based hazardous waste determinations may allow a regulated person/entity to make a hazardous waste determination for more than one PV module at one time - making this regulatory pathway a potential scalable solution. Through legal analysis and interviews with 44 experts, the authors explore what it means to make an accurate knowledge-based hazardous determination for PV modules considering sources and forms of information as well as potential limitations. The work aims to provide a foundation for building consensus on whether knowledge-based hazardous determinations are a viable, scalable industry approach for solar.