RESUMEN
The objective of this paper is to evaluate the performance of the hydrophobic coatings and detergent cleaning & antistatic protection for photovoltaic solar panels in semi-arid weather conditions in Benguerir Morocco. Various coating and cleaning strategies were tested on five photovoltaic (PV) systems with the same PV panels and electrical configurations. The first PV system (uncleaned) was not subject to any coatings or cleaning solutions. The second PV system (Water Cleaned) was periodically cleaned with raw water. The third PV system: solar wash protects (SWP) made use of a cleaning solution. The fourth:D solar defender (DSS) and fifth: industrial glass protect (IGP) PV systems each had a unique combination of the two hydrophobic coatings. The results demonstrated that after 9 months of operation, in the first 3 months (cleaning period) the average efficiency gain of the coated PV panels is around 10% compared to the reference system. Whereas in the non-cleaning period after 6 months of exposure, the efficiency gain is around 5%. After the outdoor exposure period, the cumulative energy gain of the coated systems compared to the water-cleaned reference reaches an average of 3%. It has been found that the SWP used 50% less water to clean the PV panels than the system cleaned without a cleaning solution, which made the panels harder to clean. The SWP is more successful at dust removal during the dry season (August-February) with low rain rates. However, during the rainy season (March-April), IGP outperformed SWP and DSD, with a small difference in PV performance. This study demonstrates the significance of using new cleaning strategies such as anti-soling coatings in dry areas to enhance the performance of photovoltaic systems, which may be useful for investors, researchers, and engineers interested in grid-connected photovoltaic and self-cleaning technology.
RESUMEN
This research aims to present a state-of-the-art cleaning technology solution that effectively overcomes the dust accumulation issue for conventional photovoltaic systems. Although continuous innovations and advanced developments within renewable energy technologies have shown steady improvements over the past years, the dust accumulation issue remains one of the main factors hindering their efficiency and degradation rate. By harvesting abundant solar thermal energy, the presented self-cleaning system uses a unique thermomechanical property of Shape Memory Alloys to operate a solar-based thermomechanical actuator. Therefore, this study carries out different numerical and experimental validation tests to highlight the promising practicability of the developed self-cleaning system from thermal and mechanical perspectives. The results showed that the system has a life expectancy of over 20 years, which is closely equivalent to the life expectancy of conventional photovoltaic modules while operating under actual weather conditions in Dammam city. Additionally, the thermal to mechanical energy conversion efficiency reached 19.15% while providing average cleaning effectiveness of about 95%. The presented outcomes of this study add to the body of knowledge an innovative methodology for a unique solar-based self-cleaning system aimed toward smart and modern photovoltaic applications.
RESUMEN
Recent achievement and progress in solar PV play a significant role in controlling climate change. This study reviewed comprehensively electrical characteristics, life cycle of dust, optical characteristics, and different cleaning techniques related to the effect of dust on the performance of PV modules throughout different climate regions of the world. The power maximum power point (MPP) and curve of PV module under the effect of irradiance and temperature were presented. The effect of dust (shading) on the electrical efficiency of PV module was discussed based on soft, partial, and complete (soiling) shading. The physical properties of dust around the globe such as PM10 concentration, dust loading (mgm-2), and fine dust particles concentration were covered and discussed. Reasons behind the accumulation of dust based on, location and installation factors, dust type, and environmental factors. Environmental reasons causing dust and dust removal in accordance with the life cycle of dust was covered in detail. All the reasons that cause the generation, accumulation and removal of dust during its life cycle were explained. All forces responsible for the adhesion phase of the dust life cycle were presented. The effect of dust on PV module transmittance and electrical parameters module were discussed in detail based on physical properties of the dust at its location and installation conditions. Self-cleaning super hydrophobic surfaces based on methods such as solvents, vapor-assisted coating, powder coating, and polymerization were discussed. All cleaning technologies, including self-cleaning technologies, based on the material coating used, and the manufacturing of PV cells was compared. The future prospective for PV technologies and cleaning methods were also covered.