The Library
A novel solution for addressing the problem of soiling and improving performance of PV solar systems
Tools
Pouladian-Kari, Arman, Eslami, Shahab, Tadjik, Arian, Kirchner, Lars, Pouladian-Kari, Ramin and Golshanfard, Aminabbas (2022) A novel solution for addressing the problem of soiling and improving performance of PV solar systems. Solar Energy, 241 . pp. 315-326. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2022.06.012 ISSN 0038-092X.
Research output not available from this repository.
Request-a-Copy directly from author or use local Library Get it For Me service.
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.06.012
Abstract
The adoption of photovoltaic (PV) solar technology for power generation is one of the fastest growing sources of renewable energy. In recent years, significant cost reductions of PV modules and rising global demand for energy have been key drivers of the solar industry’s exponential growth. While the majority of research into improving efficiency of solar systems has focused on increasing power output, adverse effects of environmental factors on system performance have largely been neglected. The accumulation of dirt on panel surfaces, known as soiling, can significantly reduce the power generated by PV systems due to blocking the Sun’s irradiation from PV cells. Despite drawbacks associated with mitigating soiling, including wasteful water consumption and the risk of panel damage, such strategies must be implemented in order to maintain system performance and reduce financial losses. This report proposes a new innovation to address the problem of soiling, designed by Kirchner Solar Group, by inverting panels at night and using of natural condensation to remove dirt settlement without causing abrasion to panel surfaces. Known as ‘NightFlip’, this solution has been designed to be an intrinsic, self-cleaning feature that reduces the impact of soiling without using water. A prototype was built to evaluate the real-world performance of the system. Data was recorded for the prototype when operating alongside a standard system, and the extent to which system performance was improved is analyzed.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Engineering > Engineering | ||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Solar Energy | ||||||
Publisher: | Elsevier Ltd. | ||||||
ISSN: | 0038-092X | ||||||
Official Date: | 15 June 2022 | ||||||
Dates: |
|
||||||
Volume: | 241 | ||||||
Page Range: | pp. 315-326 | ||||||
DOI: | 10.1016/j.solener.2022.06.012 | ||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access |
Request changes or add full text files to a record
Repository staff actions (login required)
View Item |