Experimental analysis of the effect of dust's physical properties on photovoltaic modules in Northern Oman

Dust depositions on photovoltaic (PV) modules reduce the transmittance of PV glazing, resulting in the degradation of efficiency. The primary source of dust is wind-blown sand and soil particles from the ground. The coarse dust particles have a diameter larger than 2 mu m. Photochemical reactions of gaseous pollutants in the atmosphere and dried droplets of seawater forming salt particles form most of the fine particles smaller than 2 mu m in diameter. The physical properties of dust, such as specific gravity, particle shape, surface properties, moisture content, plastic and liquid limits, and particular grain size, vary from location to another all over the world. These differences are due to the topographic, geological, and environmental conditions of each region. The weight and shape of dust particles have a significant effect on their deposition behaviour and PV performance. In this paper, an investigation of energy losses caused by dust deposition on PV modules in Oman is presented. Six dust samples collected over three months from six locations in Northern Oman were investigated to evaluate their physical properties. Most of the dust particles (64%) diameters size ranged from 2 to 63 mu m. The dust deposition on PV modules was found to vary from one location to another. The results indicated that there is no significant energy-yield loss caused by the low surface mass concentration of dust (<1 g/m(2)) on the PV module. The maximum daily efficiency loss was measured and compared with that from the literature, revealing that the efficiency loss was 0.05%, which is small compared to those of neighbouring countries. However, the results show a decline in the productivity of the PV module up to 35-40% after exposure to the weather conditions for more than three months, indicating that the advisable cleaning period, is every three months. Therefore, establishing PV systems at these sites is a reasonable option. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.