THE INFLUENCE OF DUST AND TEMPERATURE ON THE EFFICIENCY OF SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

Abstract

At present, the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules plays an important role in the field of utilization of solar energy and transformation of this energy into electricity. The main characteristic of PV modules is the work efficiency. It strongly depends on external influences such as the degree of contamination on the glass surface and the operating temperature of the PV modules. Accumulation of dust particles on the surface of PV modules has a very negative effect on their efficiency. At high ambient temperatures, solar PV modules heat up, and the efficiency of modules is reduced. This problem is very substantial for the countries with high temperature conditions and dusty climate. In this paper, the influence of dust and temperature on the efficiency of solar PV modules is investigated. The new-type economically viable system for cleaning and cooling PV modules is used during the experiments. The conducted experimental studies under actual operating conditions during the rainiest period of the year in Yerevan, have shown that due to the cleaning of dust, the efficiency of PV modules is increasing on average by 6.7%. Due to rapid cooling by water in two minutes, the efficiency of PV modules is increased by 2.5%. To improve the operation efficiency, the PV modules must be cooled periodically, taking into consideration the quantity of the consumed water in order to get the maximal economic effect.