The settling volume and distribution of dust on PV module surface

Abstract

Abstract. Dust deposited on photovoltaic (PV) module surface is one of the most important factors that influence the power of PV modules. In this paper, the settling volume and distribution regularities of dust in the gas-solid two phase flow under different conditions of PV component installation angle and wind speed were respectively investigated by simulation. And compare the setting volume of simulation with the experiment results. The results indicate that low wind speed may make dust to deposit intensively on upper right of PV component surface with the constant installation angle. The bulk density of dust increases with increasing wind speed and stratification is more obvious. The faster wind speed is, the fewer the settling volume of dust it is. However, the deposition of dust on the surface show layered characteristics with the angle increased when the wind speed is faster. And the dust density of PV modules surface is reducing from edge to center resulting in homogeneous deposition of dust on PV component surface. Furthermore, the bigger installation angle is, the settling volume of dust more it is. And an angle of 45°is the max width of maximum bulk density area when inlet wind speed is constant.