Effect of dust deposition density and particle size on the energetic and exergetic performance of photovoltaic modules: An experimental study

Abstract

Dust deposition density and particle size impact on PV module energy utilization was investigated. Module A was clean, and modules B, C and D were dusted with deposition densities of 6.94 g/m2, 13.88 g/m2, and 20.83 g/m2, respectively. Test-1 and test-2 were carried out with steel slag dust particles with a size of 61 μm and 109 μm, respectively. The decrease in energetic efficiency comparing module A was 2.45%, 3.99% and 5.9% for the B, C and D modules in test-1, respectively. In test-2, the decrease in energetic efficiency was 1.77%, 2.77%, 3.63% for modules B, C, and D. In test-1, the exergy efficiency of modules B, C, and D declined by 2.67%, 4.3%, 6.62%. In test-2, the exergy efficiency fell by 1.94%, 2.84%, 4.19% for modules B, C and D, respectively. The annual exergy destruction cost was calculated to be $49.97, $51.48, $52.42, and $53.78 for modules A, B, C, and D, respectively. For test-2, the corresponding values were $48.13, $49.2, $49.66, and $50.4 for modules A, B, C, and D, respectively. The decrease in energetic and exergetic efficiency was lowered by the particle size increase. The decrease in energetic and exergetic efficiency was raised by increased deposition density.