Abstract
Solar panel conversion efficiency, typically in the twenty percent range, is reduced by dust, grime, pollen, and other particulates that accumulate on the solar panel. Cleaning dirty panels to maintain peak efficiency, which is especially hard to do for large solar-panel arrays. To develop a transparent, anti-soiling Nano-TiO<sub>2</sub> coating to minimize the need for occasional cleaning is the purpose of this study. In our study, a 2D rainwater runoff model along tilted solar panel surface based on the Nusselt solution was established to have better understanding and predicting the behavior of runoff rain water, especially in contact with solar-panel surfaces with Nano-TiO<sub>2</sub> coating. Our simulation results demonstrate that solar-panel surfaces with Nano-TiO<sub>2</sub> coating create a superhydrophilic surface which cannot hold water, showing features of more pronounced in increasing runoff water film velocity comparing to the uncoated surfaces during raining event resulting in better effect of self-cleaning. Validation of our model was performed on titled solar panels for real time outdoor exposure testing in Switzerland. It is found that the dust particles are not easy to adhere to the coated surfaces of the slides comparing with uncoated surfaces, showing great potential for its use in harsh environmental conditions. This study suggests that superhydrophilic self-cleaning solar panel coating maximize energy collection and increases the solar panel’s energy efficiency.
Highlights
Solar PV technology is well-proven for producing electricity, where the global production has been increasing 370 times than that in 1992 (Kazmerski 2011)
The output of a PV module is usually rated by manufacturers under Standard Test Conditions (STC), where each module is tested under a temperature of 25 °C; solar radiation of 1000 W/m2, air mass of 1.5 spectra and wind speed of 2 m/s
This was very significant since the solar cells could be coated to improve its other properties without damaging the initial raw performance. Applying this Nano-TiO2 coating on the surface of a clean PV module will potentially increase the efficiency comparing with other coatings which most likely reduce the transmissivity of sunlight
Summary
Solar PV technology is well-proven for producing electricity, where the global production has been increasing 370 times than that in 1992 (Kazmerski 2011). The output of a PV module is usually rated by manufacturers under Standard Test Conditions (STC), where each module is tested under a temperature of 25 °C; solar radiation of 1000 W/m2, air mass of 1.5 spectra and wind speed of 2 m/s. These conditions are different from the conditions in the practical fields. The effect of dust on PV modules performance has been investigated in different ways as can be found in the literature. Wakim (1981) claimed that 17 % of PV power is lost due to dust deposition on PV modules in Kuwait city. Sayigh et al (1985) reported the effect of
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
