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Mathematical Modelling of a System for Solar PV Efficiency Improvement Using Compressed Air for Panel Cleaning and Cooling

Author

Listed:
  • Marcus King

    (School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK)

  • Dacheng Li

    (School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK)

  • Mark Dooner

    (School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK)

  • Saikat Ghosh

    (Advanced Technology Development Centre, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India)

  • Jatindra Nath Roy

    (Advanced Technology Development Centre, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India)

  • Chandan Chakraborty

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India)

  • Jihong Wang

    (School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK)

Abstract

The efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is greatly reduced by panel soiling and high temperatures. A mechanism for eliminating both of these sources of inefficiencies is presented by integrating solar PV generation with a compressed air system. High-pressure air can be stored and used to blow over the surface of PV panels, removing present dust and cooling the panels, increasing output power. A full-system mathematical model of the proposed system is presented, comprised of compressed air generation and storage, panel temperature, panel cleaning, and PV power generation. Simulation results indicate the benefit of employing compressed air for cleaning and cooling solar PV panels. For a fixed volume of compressed air, it is advantageous to blow air over the panels early in the day if the panel is soiled or when solar radiation is most abundant with the highest achievable flow rate if the panel is clean. These strategies have been shown to achieve the greatest energy captures for a single PV panel. When comparing the energy for air compression to the energy gain from cleaning a single PV over a two-week period, an energy ROI of 23.8 is determined. The system has the potential to eliminate the requirement for additional manual cleaning of solar PV panels.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcus King & Dacheng Li & Mark Dooner & Saikat Ghosh & Jatindra Nath Roy & Chandan Chakraborty & Jihong Wang, 2021. "Mathematical Modelling of a System for Solar PV Efficiency Improvement Using Compressed Air for Panel Cleaning and Cooling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:14:p:4072-:d:589249
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Santiago, I. & Trillo-Montero, D. & Moreno-Garcia, I.M. & Pallarés-López, V. & Luna-Rodríguez, J.J., 2018. "Modeling of photovoltaic cell temperature losses: A review and a practice case in South Spain," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 70-89.
    2. Siecker, J. & Kusakana, K. & Numbi, B.P., 2017. "A review of solar photovoltaic systems cooling technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 192-203.
    3. Humada, Ali M. & Hojabri, Mojgan & Mekhilef, Saad & Hamada, Hussein M., 2016. "Solar cell parameters extraction based on single and double-diode models: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 494-509.
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    Cited by:

    1. S. Rehman & M. A. Mohandes & A. E. Hussein & L. M. Alhems & A. Al-Shaikhi, 2022. "Cleaning of Photovoltaic Panels Utilizing the Downward Thrust of a Drone," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-14, November.

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