Study of ash deposition characteristics of photovoltaic arrays taking into account the effect of photovoltaic module spacing and its effect on output characteristics: Indoor experiment

Abstract

The problem of ash deposition on the surface of photovoltaic (PV) arrays during actual operation seriously affects their power generation efficiency. Because traditional research does not consider the PV module spacing, it cannot reflect the actual PV array ash deposition problem. This study explored the influence of PV module spacing, combined with different tilt angles and inlet wind speeds, on the characteristics of ash deposition and power output of the PV array through indoor experiments. The study designed a set of experimental equipment for simulating the formation process of ash deposition on the surface of PV arrays and set up an experimental platform to measure the influence of ash deposition on the maximum output power (Pmax), open-circuit voltage (Uoc), and short-circuit current (Isc) of the PV modules. The findings indicate that as the tilt angle increases, the PV array experiences reduced ash deposition and increased output power. Conversely, higher inlet wind speeds lead to greater ash deposition and decreased output power. Moreover, widening the spacing between PV modules results in increased ash deposition and reduced output power. Notably, within the PV array, the front PV module accumulates more ash than the rear module, with larger particle sizes. These research findings have significant implications for optimizing PV array design and enhancing power generation efficiency.