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Spectral nature of soiling and its impact on multi-junction based concentrator systems

Author

Listed:
  • Fernandez, Eduardo F.
  • Chemisana, Daniel
  • Micheli, Leonardo
  • Almonacid, Florencia

Abstract

Soiling, which consists in the dust, dirt and particles accumulated on the surface of conventional or concentrator photovoltaic modules, absorbs, scatters, and reflects part of the incoming sunlight. Therefore, it reduces the amount of energy converted by the semiconductor solar cells. This work focuses on the effect of soiling on the performance of multi-junction (MJ) cells, widely used in concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) applications. Novel indexes, useful to quantify the spectral impact of soiling are introduced, and their meanings are discussed. The results of a one-year experimental investigation conducted in Spain are presented and are used to discuss how soiling impacts each of the subcells of a MJ cell, as well as in the cell current-matching. Ideal conditions for the mitigation of soiling are found in blue-rich environments, where the higher light intensity at the shorter wavelengths can limit the impact of soiling on the overall production of the CPV system.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernandez, Eduardo F. & Chemisana, Daniel & Micheli, Leonardo & Almonacid, Florencia, 2019. "Spectral nature of soiling and its impact on multi-junction based concentrator systems," MPRA Paper 106251, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:106251
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, Florencia & Garcia-Loureiro, Antonio J., 2015. "Multi-junction solar cells electrical characterization by neuronal networks under different irradiance, spectrum and cell temperature," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 846-856.
    2. Sarver, Travis & Al-Qaraghuli, Ali & Kazmerski, Lawrence L., 2013. "A comprehensive review of the impact of dust on the use of solar energy: History, investigations, results, literature, and mitigation approaches," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 698-733.
    3. Ruiz-Arias, J.A. & Terrados, J. & Pérez-Higueras, P. & Pozo-Vázquez, D. & Almonacid, G., 2012. "Assessment of the renewable energies potential for intensive electricity production in the province of Jaén, southern Spain," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(5), pages 2994-3001.
    4. Kaldellis, J.K. & Kokala, A., 2010. "Quantifying the decrease of the photovoltaic panels’ energy yield due to phenomena of natural air pollution disposal," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 4862-4869.
    5. Fernández, Eduardo F. & Talavera, D.L. & Almonacid, Florencia M. & Smestad, Greg P., 2016. "Investigating the impact of weather variables on the energy yield and cost of energy of grid-connected solar concentrator systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 790-801.
    6. Pérez-Higueras, Pedro & Ferrer-Rodríguez, Juan P. & Almonacid, Florencia & Fernández, Eduardo F., 2018. "Efficiency and acceptance angle of High Concentrator Photovoltaic modules: Current status and indoor measurements," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 143-153.
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    Cited by:

    1. Conceição, Ricardo & González-Aguilar, José & Merrouni, Ahmed Alami & Romero, Manuel, 2022. "Soiling effect in solar energy conversion systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    2. Antonia Sônia A. C. Diniz & Tulio P. Duarte & Suellen A. C. Costa & Daniel Sena Braga & Vinicius Camatta Santana & Lawrence L. Kazmerski, 2022. "Soiling Spectral and Module Temperature Effects: Comparisons of Competing Operating Parameters for Four Commercial PV Module Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, July.
    3. Fernández-Solas, Álvaro & Micheli, Leonardo & Almonacid, Florencia & Fernández, Eduardo F., 2021. "Optical degradation impact on the spectral performance of photovoltaic technology," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    soiling transmittance; spectral effects; multi-junction solar cells; outdoor performance; concentrator photovoltaics.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q42 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Alternative Energy Sources

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