Open AccessThe influence of dust physical specifications photovoltaic modules performance
Author(s) -
Aedah M. J. Mahdy,
Sarmad I. Ibrahim,
Dina S. M. Al-Zubidi,
Ali J. Ali,
Miqdam T. Chaichan,
Hussein A. Kazem
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/928/2/022123
Subject(s) - photovoltaic system , environmental science , deposition (geology) , productivity , atmospheric sciences , environmental engineering , meteorology , physics , geology , engineering , electrical engineering , geomorphology , sediment , economics , macroeconomics
In this article, an experimental analysis was performed to assess the effect of dust accumulation on PV modules resulting energy losses. The dust used in the experiments was collected from three specific sites in the Republic of Iraq. Samples of pollen and common dust were collected from three sites for a period of three months in order to assess their physical properties. The results showed that 64% of all dust particles are 2 to 62 μm in diameter. The effect of dust deposition on the PV modules has mixed results from one location to another. The surface mass of the precipitated dust is concentrated on the PV unit only (up to 5 g/m 2 /day), and the decrease in the energy results was evident. The daily maximum decrease in efficacy was 0.05% for the samples examined, and when compared to neighboring countries its value is clear and effective. The results showed that the exposure of the photovoltaic cells to external conditions for a period longer than two months caused a decrease in the productivity of the photovoltaic unit by 35-40%. Therefore, it is recommended that there be periods of cleaning the cells up to two months. The study concluded that the use of PV systems in the studied sites is a practical and economical option.