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Cleaning of Floating Photovoltaic Systems: A Critical Review on Approaches from Technical and Economic Perspectives

Author

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  • Rafi Zahedi

    (Electrical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran 15916-39675, Iran)

  • Parisa Ranjbaran

    (Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran 13145-1384, Iran)

  • Gevork B. Gharehpetian

    (Electrical Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran 15916-39675, Iran)

  • Fazel Mohammadi

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 1K3, Canada)

  • Roya Ahmadiahangar

    (Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics, Tallinn University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia)

Abstract

There are some environmental factors, such as ambient temperature, dust, etc., which cause a reduction in the efficiency of Photovoltaic (PV) systems. Installation of PV panels on the water surface, commonly known as Floating Photovoltaic (FPV) systems, is one solution to employ PV panels in a cooler environment, achieve higher efficiency, and reduce water evaporation. FPV systems open up new opportunities for scaling up solar generating capacity, especially in countries with high population density and valuable lands, as well as countries with high evaporation rates and water resources deficiency. Since the FPV system is an almost new concept, its cleaning techniques have not been comprehensively studied. While FPV systems are located on the surface of water resources and reservoirs, the water quality can limit the application of different cleaning techniques. Therefore, this paper investigates different techniques of FPV systems cleaning and categorizes them into water-based and water-free approaches. In addition, their cleaning frequencies, as well as economic aspects, are presented and discussed to determine their merits and demerits for using them in FPV systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafi Zahedi & Parisa Ranjbaran & Gevork B. Gharehpetian & Fazel Mohammadi & Roya Ahmadiahangar, 2021. "Cleaning of Floating Photovoltaic Systems: A Critical Review on Approaches from Technical and Economic Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:7:p:2018-:d:530663
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Benjamins, Steven & Williamson, Benjamin & Billing, Suzannah-Lynn & Yuan, Zhiming & Collu, Maurizio & Fox, Clive & Hobbs, Laura & Masden, Elizabeth A. & Cottier-Cook, Elizabeth J. & Wilson, Ben, 2024. "Potential environmental impacts of floating solar photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    3. Haneen Abuzaid & Mahmoud Awad & Abdulrahim Shamayleh, 2024. "Photovoltaic Modules’ Cleaning Method Selection for the MENA Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-23, October.
    4. Boris I. Evstatiev & Dimitar T. Trifonov & Katerina G. Gabrovska-Evstatieva & Nikolay P. Valov & Nicola P. Mihailov, 2024. "PV Module Soiling Detection Using Visible Spectrum Imaging and Machine Learning," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-20, October.
    5. Claus, R. & López, M., 2022. "Key issues in the design of floating photovoltaic structures for the marine environment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    6. Thi Thu Em Vo & Seung-Mo Je & Se-Hoon Jung & Jaehyeon Choi & Jun-Ho Huh & Han-Jong Ko, 2022. "Review of Photovoltaic Power and Aquaculture in Desert," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, April.
    7. He, Beihua & Lu, Hao & Zheng, Chuanxiao & Wang, Yanlin, 2023. "Characteristics and cleaning methods of dust deposition on solar photovoltaic modules-A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    8. Rahbar, Kiyarash & Eslami, Shahab & Pouladian-Kari, Ramin & Kirchner, Lars, 2022. "3-D numerical simulation and experimental study of PV module self-cleaning based on dew formation and single axis tracking," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).

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