Abstract
ABSTRACT A photovoltaic electrical energy system is one of the least aggressive ways to affect the environment. Factors such as dirt influence the efficiency of these systems and can have a considerable impact in low rainfall regions, such as the Brazilian semiarid. In this respect, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of dirt on the efficiency of electricity generation in photovoltaic modules installed in the Brazilian semiarid. To that end, the output power of a periodically cleaned module was compared with a naturally dirty module; in addition, the percentage output power, dirt deposition density and relationship between these variables were estimated. The study was carried out at the University of Pernambuco, in the city of Petrolina, PE, Brazil, during dry and rainy periods. Data were collected via a data acquisition system and dirt using glass slides. The results indicate that more than 15 days without rain significantly reduces the efficiency of photovoltaic modules installed in semiarid areas, reaching an 18.72% decrease in output power after 70 days.
Highlights
The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of dirt on the efficiency of electricity generation in photovoltaic modules installed in the Brazilian semiarid
The results indicate that more than 15 days without rain significantly reduces the efficiency of photovoltaic modules installed in semiarid areas, reaching an 18.72% decrease in output power after 70 days
Photovoltaic solar energy has been growing worldwide, mainly in arid or semiarid regions, such as the Brazilian semiarid, since it is less aggressive to the environment and due to the region’s high energy potential (Nascimento & Ruther, 2014; Gholami et al, 2018)
Summary
Photovoltaic solar energy has been growing worldwide, mainly in arid or semiarid regions, such as the Brazilian semiarid, since it is less aggressive to the environment and due to the region’s high energy potential (Nascimento & Ruther, 2014; Gholami et al, 2018). Environmental factors affect the efficiency of a photovoltaic system, including dirt, which is often neglected (Fraga et al, 2018; Gholami et al, 2018). Dirt is a general term that applies to solid particles with diameters less than 500 μm deposited on the glass surface of photovoltaic modules, suspended in the atmosphere and originated from several sources (Ho et al, 2017; Fathi & Abderrezek, 2017). According to Fouad et al (2017), dirt can prevent solar radiation from reaching the surface of photovoltaic cells, thereby reducing the energy generated. A number of studies regarding the influence of dirt on the efficiency of photovoltaic modules have been carried out around the world. In a study of dirt on photovoltaic modules with an off-grid system, Paudyal & Shakya (2016) found a 29.76% decline in output power. Amarnadh et al (2014) observed a maximum reduction of 30% in the efficiency of a polycrystalline silicon module in an experiment conducted in Vellore, India
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