Abstract
The efficiency of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is greatly reduced by panel soiling and high temperatures. A mechanism for eliminating both of these sources of inefficiencies is presented by integrating solar PV generation with a compressed air system. High-pressure air can be stored and used to blow over the surface of PV panels, removing present dust and cooling the panels, increasing output power. A full-system mathematical model of the proposed system is presented, comprised of compressed air generation and storage, panel temperature, panel cleaning, and PV power generation. Simulation results indicate the benefit of employing compressed air for cleaning and cooling solar PV panels. For a fixed volume of compressed air, it is advantageous to blow air over the panels early in the day if the panel is soiled or when solar radiation is most abundant with the highest achievable flow rate if the panel is clean. These strategies have been shown to achieve the greatest energy captures for a single PV panel. When comparing the energy for air compression to the energy gain from cleaning a single PV over a two-week period, an energy ROI of 23.8 is determined. The system has the potential to eliminate the requirement for additional manual cleaning of solar PV panels.
Highlights
Published: 6 July 2021Solar photovoltaics (PV) are a technology for renewable electricity generation that are becoming increasingly cost-effective [1]
This paper proposes the use of compressed air for the cleaning and cooling of PV
A number of scenarios can be assessed to determine the potential benefit to PV generation from implementing the cooling and cleaning system from compressed air
Summary
Solar photovoltaics (PV) are a technology for renewable electricity generation that are becoming increasingly cost-effective [1]. Research output in the field of solar PV is increasing exponentially, driven by the green agenda in a number of countries [2]. It is expected that PV generation will become one of the dominant methods of power generation in the coming decades as nations aim to decarbonise their power sectors [3]. The overall efficiency of PV generation is significantly reduced by the effects of panel soiling [4]. When dust or similar particles become attached to the surface of a PV panel, light is blocked from reaching the current producing photodiodes and overall power production falls. It is reported that in some locales, panel soiling is responsible for a 15–17%
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