Abstract
The effect of installation azimuth angle in the optimization of the cleaning cycle of a solar photovoltaic plant was experimentally investigated in this study. The optimum cleaning cycle was determined using Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm cognizance of the fact that different orientations have different soiling rates. Soiling rates on three different azimuth configurations were experimentally investigated and an exponential soiling loss model was developed for each configuration for use in the optimization problem. Azimuth angle differences of ±12.5% were found to have a significant influence on soiling of as much as 28.29% for the selected location. The North of North West configuration was found to be optimal as opposed to the generally accepted North configuration for maximum energy generation at a minimum cost of energy. This configuration generated 0.87% more energy at unit energy cost of $0.093 compared to the North configuration which had a minimum cost of $0.113. The optimized cleaning cycles were 35 days for the optimal configuration while the North configuration had an optimized cleaning cycle of 28 days. A 17.7% difference in the cost of energy was recorded due the influence of soiling. The study revealed that for minimizing the unit energy cost, it is necessary to take into effect the influence of soiling.
Highlights
2.1 Soiling of PV collectorsPhotovoltaic soiling is an unavoidable issue of concern especially when high insolation areas are associated with high levels of soiling [1]
Methods have been devised for soiling mitigation but these need to be optimum and optimization of the cleaning cycle depends on a reliable prediction of soiling [2]
The experimental study revealed that maximum energy was generated at the beginning of the experiment and gradually decreased with time of exposure and the soiling was visually noted to be homogeneous on the solar collector
Summary
The economic analysis of soiling of solar photovoltaics is of great importance in setting up a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant. The solar PV plant ought to operate at the minimum possible costs and supply energy at the least cost. Studying the soiling characteristics of each configuration at a location assists in selecting the best configuration that gives the most energy at a minimum cost
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