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Effect of Environmental Factors on Photovoltaic Soiling: Experimental and Statistical Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Honey Brahma

    (Department of Energy, Tezpur University, Assam 784028, India)

  • Shraiya Pant

    (Department of Energy, Tezpur University, Assam 784028, India)

  • Leonardo Micheli

    (Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy)

  • Greg P. Smestad

    (Sol Ideas Technology Development, P.O. Box 5729, San José, CA 95150, USA)

  • Nabin Sarmah

    (Department of Energy, Tezpur University, Assam 784028, India)

Abstract

Soiling significantly impacts PV systems’ performance, but this can be mitigated through optimized frequency and timing of cleaning. This experimental study focused on the conditions leading to soiling. It utilized a novel method to evaluate the effectiveness of different cleaning frequencies. The transmittance of horizontally mounted glass coupons exposed outdoors in a warm and humid location was measured weekly and these measurements were used (i) to evaluate the variability of soiling and its seasonal correlations with environmental factors using linear regression models and (ii) to assess the effectiveness of the different cleaning cycles using statistical (F- and t -test) analysis. The minimum transmittance loss occurred during the season with the most frequent rainfall, which acted as the dominant natural cleaning agent. The experimental campaign showed that rainfalls do not completely clean soiling; a minimum intensity threshold has to be achieved to have a cleaning effect. The threshold rainfall was the highest for the weekly cleaned glass coupon and lowest for a coupon that was never cleaned. Based on the statistical analysis, it is suggested that weekly cleanings during winter and post-monsoon seasons and monthly cleanings during pre-monsoon and southwest monsoon seasons are optimal for areas in the Köppen–Geiger Cwa climate classification category. The correlation between soiling and environmental parameters was found to be highly dependent on the season. It may therefore not be possible to develop a simple, universal predictive relationship for soiling losses. The presented methodology is applicable to additional locations, even outside of the study area of India, to contribute to the understanding and mitigation of soiling.

Suggested Citation

  • Honey Brahma & Shraiya Pant & Leonardo Micheli & Greg P. Smestad & Nabin Sarmah, 2022. "Effect of Environmental Factors on Photovoltaic Soiling: Experimental and Statistical Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-22, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2022:i:1:p:45-:d:1009806
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chanchangi, Yusuf N. & Ghosh, Aritra & Baig, Hasan & Sundaram, Senthilarasu & Mallick, Tapas K., 2021. "Soiling on PV performance influenced by weather parameters in Northern Nigeria," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 874-892.
    2. Douglas Olivares & Pablo Ferrada & Jonathan Bijman & Sebastián Rodríguez & Mauricio Trigo-González & Aitor Marzo & Jorge Rabanal-Arabach & Joaquín Alonso-Montesinos & Francisco Javier Batlles & Edward, 2020. "Determination of the Soiling Impact on Photovoltaic Modules at the Coastal Area of the Atacama Desert," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Mithhu, Md. Mahamudul Hasan & Rima, Tahmina Ahmed & Khan, M. Ryyan, 2021. "Global analysis of optimal cleaning cycle and profit of soiling affected solar panels," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    4. Laarabi, Bouchra & El Baqqal, Youssef & Dahrouch, Abdelouahed & Barhdadi, Abdelfettah, 2020. "Deep analysis of soiling effect on glass transmittance of PV modules in seven sites in Morocco," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
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