A comparison of dust impacts on polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar photovoltaic performance: an outdoor experimental study

Energy and environmental investigation on photovoltaic system performance by application of square cross-sectional two-phase closed thermosyphon

By increasing solar radiation, the temperature of photovoltaic cells rises, and as a result, the electrical power and lifespan of the panel are reduced. By cooling the panel with two-phase closed thermosyphons (TPCTs), this effect can be minimized. In contrast to typical TPCT, which has a circular cross-section, the thermosyphon used in this study has a square cross-section. In the proposed system, the solar cells place on an aluminum plate to reduce the thermal resistance and improve the heat transfer rate. Investigations have been made on the effects of three different filling ratios, including 25, 45, and 65%. The trial results show that equipped PV panel with square TPCT with a filling ratio of 45% produces the best cooling performance. In this instance, 68.31 kJ of heat energy was transmitted to the tank water. Electrically, the equipped panel has been found to produce up to 3.85% greater output power than a conventional one. A new mathematical model to estimate the performance of equipped PV panel with square TPCT is introduced too. Additionally, the research has looked into how varied tank volumes, solar radiation, and wind velocity affect the temperature difference in tank water. Based on environmental investigations, the proposed solar system is used instead of natural gas and fuel oil, it will prevent the annual emission of 106.3 and 159.4 kg of CO2 per unit area of the panel to atmosphere.

An experimental study on using water streaks and water film over PV module to enhance the electrical efficiency

Since the solar irradiation is accessible in many parts of our planet, it is a viable replacement for fossil fuels, so commissioning photovoltaic (PV) power plants are increased, rapidly. One of the main problems that this technology faces is the increase in the temperature of solar cells. In this paper, streaming water layer over the upper side of PV modules is considered as a cooling method. This technique not only lowers the surface temperature, but also keeps the surface clean. Four different water flow rates of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 lit/min were used so that two different flow patterns, water streaks and water film, were formed. In addition, the negative effect of the residual water layer over the surface of the PV panel on the absorbed radiation was evaluated experimentally. As results, temperature drops of 20.6 °C and 29.7 °C were measured for flow rates of 0.5 and 2 lit/min, respectively. Also, for the case of 4 lit/min, the efficiency is increased by 6.7% compared to the conventional case. Moreover, it was observed that after the formation of a water layer, the water flow rate no longer has a significant effect on cooling. Finally, a comparison between the electrical efficiency enhancements of this study with those of similar researches was performed.

Impact of long-term dust accumulation on photovoltaic module performance - a comprehensive review

This paper reviews the impact dust accumulation for long-term on the performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules. It examines accumulation impact on the PV efficiency, their solar energy production, and their lifetime. The paper also discusses the various strategies for preventing dust accumulation, such as waterproof coatings, hydrophobic coatings, and anti-static coatings. Finally, the paper provides a comprehensive review in dust control and highlights potential future research directions. This review provides an in-depth analysis of PV behavior and its effect by dust accumulation and provides useful information for researchers and practitioners in the solar industry.