Advances in approaches and methods for self-cleaning of solar photovoltaic panels

Syafiq, A.; Pandey, A.K.; Adzman, Noriah Nor; Rahim, Nasrudin Abd

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2017.12.023

Cited by 206 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 225 publications

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“…Photovoltaic modules or solar panels are the most fundamental components in a photovoltaic power system which is used to convert solar energy to electrical power [9][10][11][12][13]. When a photovoltaic module is connected to a piece of measurement equipment, P-V characteristics will be obtained as illustrated in Figure 1 [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Partial Shading on the P-V Characteristics and the Maximum Power of a Photovoltaic String

et al. 2018

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Abstract:A photovoltaic system is highly susceptible to partial shading. Based on the functionality of a photovoltaic system that relies on solar irradiance to generate electrical power, it is tacitly assumed that the maximum power of a partially shaded photovoltaic system always decreases as the shading heaviness increases. However, the literature has reported that this might not be the case. The maximum power of a partially shaded photovoltaic system under a fixed configuration and partial shading pattern can be highly insusceptible to shading heaviness when a certain critical point is met. This paper presents an investigation of the impact of partial shading and the critical point that reduce the susceptibility of shading heaviness. Photovoltaic string formed by series-connected photovoltaic modules is used in this research. The investigation of the P-V characteristic curve under different numbers of shaded modules and shading heaviness suggests that the photovoltaic string becomes insusceptible to shading heaviness when the shaded modules irradiance reaches a certain critical point. The critical point can vary based on the number of the shaded modules. The formulated equation in this research contributes to determining the critical point for different photovoltaic string sizes and numbers of shaded modules in the photovoltaic string.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Partial Shading on the P-V Characteristics and the Maximum Power of a Photovoltaic String

et al. 2018

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“…The latter point determines the performances of PV modules under exposure like the tilt angle and positioning of the modules. Climatic conditions like pollution, fog, stagnant water, etc., can reduce the energy output of the solar modules by more than 60%, owing to dust, leaves, fog, stagnant water, birds acting as a shield to the PV module [2,4]. Also, higher temperature more than the working temperature of solar cells reduces the efficiency of the cells [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Effect of the Impact of Stagnant Water on Solar Modules

Anyaka*,

Mbunwe,

Ogbuefi

et al. 2020

IJITEE

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In this research, an experimental study of the impact of stagnant water on solar modules is investigated. Two different experiments using two identical photovoltaic (PV) modules S1 and S2 were used for the study. In the first experiment, the PV module S1 was covered with stagnant water and the second PV module was unshielded with water. In the second experiment, the PV modules were swapped with S2 covered with stagnant water and S1 unshielded with water. The experiments were carried out under normal operating temperature of PV cells at the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka on latitude 6:52 degrees north, longitude 7:23 degrees. Results obtained from the first experiment show that the efficiency and power output of S1 PV module decreased by 9.3% and 8.0% respectively when compared with that of S2 PV module. In the case of output voltage and current, it was found that shielding of PV module S1 with stagnant water caused an increase in the output voltage by 1.93% and a decrease in the output current by 10.26%. In the second experiment, the efficiency and Output power of PV module S2 decreased by 9.21% and 8.18% respectively when compared with the unshielded PV module S1. In the case of voltage and current, it was found that shielding of PV module S2 with stagnant water caused an increase in the Output voltage by 1.63% and decrease in the output current by 10.91%.

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“…In the case of photovoltaic applications, several studies have been introduced to clean the dusty surfaces . The model study on the greenhouse effect due to soiling of the photovoltaic panel provides understanding of the thermo‐fluid dynamics of flow system in the photovoltaic panels and explores the possibility of utilizing organic thin film photovoltaic devices for self‐cleaning applications . The outdoor testing of the photovoltaic panels, which have self‐cleaning and antireflective characteristics, remains important for the assessment of the sustainable operations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…12,13 The model study on the greenhouse effect due to soiling of the photovoltaic panel provides understanding of the thermo-fluid dynamics of flow system in the photovoltaic panels and explores the possibility of utilizing organic thin film photovoltaic devices for selfcleaning applications. 14 The outdoor testing of the photovoltaic panels, which have self-cleaning and antireflective characteristics, remains important for the assessment of the sustainable operations. In some cases, the nanostructured hydrophobic surfaces maintain the selfcharacteristics for long periods with only small reduction in efficiency, such as 2% to 3% reductions after long period of outdoor testing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar energy harvesting and a water droplet cleaning of micropost arrays surfaces

2019

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Summary Solar energy harvesting in dusty environments initiates many challenges for sustainable operation of photovoltaic panels. Environmental dust reduces photovoltaic device performance and requires regular cleaning of active surfaces. Self‐cleaning of surfaces by water droplets offers advantages in terms of reduced cost and sustainable operation. The present study investigates dust removal from hydrophobic and optically transparent micropost arrays surfaces in relation to solar energy applications. The micropost arrays are replicated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) casting on textured silicon wafers. The replicated micropost arrays result in hydrophobic surface with contact angle of about 147.6° ± 5° and the hysteresis of 16° ± 2°. In relation to self‐cleaning, water droplet behavior on the inclined replicated micropost arrays is simulated and droplet movement is examined experimentally. The optical transmittance of micropost arrays is tested in outdoor dusty environments. It is found that droplet slides on the inclined micropost surface and expanding droplet size enhances the sliding velocity. Alkaline dust compounds dissolve in droplet while increasing pH from 4.35 to 7.94 and surface tension from 0.072 to 0.120 N/m. This alters droplet pinning and lowers the sliding velocity from 0.2 to 0.15 m/s. Optical transmittance of the samples was tested in outdoor dusty environments improve considerably by sliding water droplet cleaning on daily bases (transmittance reduces only 3% or less as reference to surface being kept indoor environments). Hence, introducing micropost arrays on photovoltaic panel protective cover surface can provide self‐cleaning effect, via droplet rolling, while slightly reducing optical transmittance of cover glass (approximately 2.5%‐3%) in outdoor environments.

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Advances in approaches and methods for self-cleaning of solar photovoltaic panels

Cited by 206 publications

References 225 publications

Impact of Partial Shading on the P-V Characteristics and the Maximum Power of a Photovoltaic String

Impact of Partial Shading on the P-V Characteristics and the Maximum Power of a Photovoltaic String

Experimental Effect of the Impact of Stagnant Water on Solar Modules

Solar energy harvesting and a water droplet cleaning of micropost arrays surfaces

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