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Performance enhancing and improvement studies in a 600 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant; manual and natural cleaning, rainwater harvesting and the snow load removal on the PV arrays

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  • Şevik, Seyfi
  • Aktaş, Ahmet

Abstract

This study aims to analyze many efficiency-enhancing and improvement activities such as manual and natural cleaning, a PV power plant type rainwater harvesting system, thermal monitoring, and snow load removal in a 600 kW grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plant. The study shows that up to 5.66% power reduction can occur for PV modules that have been dirty for close to one year. It was determined that the dust removal effect of the rain was up to 0.94%. This study showed that the potential for collecting rainwater from a small part of the PV plant is approximately 118 m3/year and that the harvesting system will reach 1646 m3/year when applied to the whole plant. A snow load of 0.117 kN per m2 was removed. On the basis of three days, 50–75% higher energy production was achieved compared to the other power plant with snow load. Snow removal on PV arrays both prevented PV degradation and resulted in increased power generation, while panel cleaning improved energy efficiency. This study an innovative approach with rainwater harvesting from solar power plants with large surface area for the use in panel cleaning and agriculture of the obtained water, which is a novel idea in increasing the efficiency of the power plants, combating climate change and drought.

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  • Şevik, Seyfi & Aktaş, Ahmet, 2022. "Performance enhancing and improvement studies in a 600 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant; manual and natural cleaning, rainwater harvesting and the snow load removal on the PV arrays," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 490-503.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:181:y:2022:i:c:p:490-503
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.09.064
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    Cited by:

    1. Fahad Saleh Al-Ismail & Md Shafiul Alam & Md Shafiullah & Md Ismail Hossain & Syed Masiur Rahman, 2023. "Impacts of Renewable Energy Generation on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Tariq Judeh & Isam Shahrour & Fadi Comair, 2022. "Smart Rainwater Harvesting for Sustainable Potable Water Supply in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Hui Fang Yu & Md. Hasanuzzaman & Nasrudin Abd Rahim & Norridah Amin & Noriah Nor Adzman, 2022. "Global Challenges and Prospects of Photovoltaic Materials Disposal and Recycling: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-41, July.
    4. Raillani, Benyounes & Salhi, Mourad & Chaatouf, Dounia & Bria, Abir & Amraqui, Samir & Mezrhab, Ahmed, 2023. "A new proposed method to mitigate the soiling rate of a photovoltaic array using first-row height," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    5. Hanane Ait Lahoussine Ouali & Ahmed Alami Merrouni & Shahariar Chowdhury & Kuaanan Techato & Sittiporn Channumsin & Nasim Ullah, 2022. "Optimization and Techno-Economic Appraisal of Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plant under Different Scenarios: A Case Study of Morocco," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Mina Nezamisavojbolaghi & Erfan Davodian & Amal Bouich & Mouhaydine Tlemçani & Oumaima Mesbahi & Fernando M. Janeiro, 2023. "The Impact of Dust Deposition on PV Panels’ Efficiency and Mitigation Solutions: Review Article," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Miqdam T. Chaichan & Hussein A. Kazem & Ali H. A. Al-Waeli & Kamaruzzaman Sopian & Mohammed A. Fayad & Wissam H. Alawee & Hayder A. Dhahad & Wan Nor Roslam Wan Isahak & Ahmed A. Al-Amiery, 2023. "Sand and Dust Storms’ Impact on the Efficiency of the Photovoltaic Modules Installed in Baghdad: A Review Study with an Empirical Investigation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-25, May.

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