Modeling investigation of soiling effect on solar photovoltaic systems: New findings

Going towards the use of solar energy or renewable energies in general has been initiated in order to help decreasing greenhouses effect resulted mainly from pollution. Nevertheless, this pollution itself is affecting the efficiency of solar energy systems due to the occurrence of soiling on Solar Photovoltaic (PV) modules. This, reduces the irradiance received by the module, decreases considerably their performance and leading to significant economic losses. The purpose of this research is to study the influence of dust on the transmittance of glass samples installed in parts of Tamil Nadu, India. Two tilt angles (0 degrees and 13 degrees) have been used and samples were observed during four different exposure periods. A comparative analysis also presented in detail between this work and with our previous study conducted in the capital region of Morocco, under two tilt angles (0, 30 degrees) and over four periods as well has been discussed. Based on all these data and other data in the literature, the correlation between the transmittance loss of the glass and the mass density of dust has been studied, and a new and more general model has been created. Lastly, the assessment of the effect of climatic and environmental conditions on soiling effect has also been addressed. The main conclusion resulted from the study is that soiling is really a complex phenomenon, and the effect of the influencing variables is not stable, that depends on the location, the period and on the variety of measurements.

Automated summary

This research focuses on the impact of pollution on solar energy systems, specifically the influence of dust on the transmittance of glass samples in Tamil Nadu, India. A comparative analysis is also conducted between this study and a previous one conducted in Morocco. The study concludes that pollution is a complex phenomenon affected by various variables such as location, time, and measurements.