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Cordero RR, Damiani A, Laroze D, MacDonell S, Jorquera J, Sepúlveda E, Feron S, Llanillo P, Labbe F, Carrasco J, Ferrer J, Torres G. Effects of soiling on photovoltaic (PV) modules in the Atacama Desert. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13943. [PMID: 30224772 PMCID: PMC6141476 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32291-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Soiling by dry deposition affects the power output of photovoltaic (PV) modules, especially under dry and arid conditions that favor natural atmospheric aerosols (wind-blown dust). In this paper, we report on measurements of the soiling effect on the energy yield of grid-connected crystalline silicon PV modules deployed in five cities across a north-south transect of approximately 1300 km in the Atacama Desert ranging from latitude 18°S to latitude 30°S. Energy losses were assessed by comparing side-by-side outputs of four co-planar PV modules. Two of the PV modules of the array were kept clean as a control, while we allowed the other two to naturally accumulate soiling for 12 months (from January 2017 to January 2018). We found that the combination of high deposition rates and infrequent rainfalls led to annual energy losses that peaked at 39% in the northern coastal part of the desert. In contrast, annual energy losses of 3% or less were measured at relatively high-altitude sites and also at locations in the southern part of the desert. For comparison, soiling-induced annual energy losses of about 7% were measured in Santiago, Chile (33°S), a major city with higher rainfall frequency but where urban pollution plays a significant role.
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Affiliation(s)
- R R Cordero
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Damiani
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, Santiago, Chile
- Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - D Laroze
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, CEDENA, Universidad de Tarapacá, Casilla 7D, Arica, Chile
| | - S MacDonell
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Raúl Bitrán 1305, La Serena, Chile
| | - J Jorquera
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, Santiago, Chile
| | - E Sepúlveda
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, Santiago, Chile
| | - S Feron
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, Santiago, Chile.
| | - P Llanillo
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, Santiago, Chile
| | - F Labbe
- Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Av. Espana 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - J Carrasco
- Universidad de Magallanes, Av. Bulnes 1855, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - J Ferrer
- Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. Bernardo O'Higgins 3363, Santiago, Chile
| | - G Torres
- Direccion Meteorologica de Chile, Av. Portales 3450, Santiago, Chile
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Gil-Loaiza J, Field JP, White SA, Csavina J, Felix O, Betterton EA, Sáez AE, Maier RM. Phytoremediation Reduces Dust Emissions from Metal(loid)-Contaminated Mine Tailings. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:5851-5858. [PMID: 29701964 PMCID: PMC7025808 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Environmental and health risk concerns relating to airborne particles from mining operations have focused primarily on smelting activities. However, there are only three active copper smelters and less than a dozen smelters for other metals compared to an estimated 500000 abandoned and unreclaimed hard rock mine tailings in the US that have the potential to generate dust. The problem can also extend to modern tailings impoundments, which may take decades to build and remain barren for the duration before subsequent reclamation. We examined the impact of vegetation cover and irrigation on dust emissions and metal(loid) transport from mine tailings during a phytoremediation field trial at the Iron King Mine and Humboldt Smelter Superfund (IKMHSS) site. Measurements of horizontal dust flux following phytoremediation reveals that vegetated plots with 16% and 32% canopy cover enabled an average dust deposition of 371.7 and 606.1 g m-2 y-1, respectively, in comparison to the control treatment which emitted dust at an average rate of 2323 g m-2 y-1. Horizontal dust flux and dust emissions from the vegetated field plots are comparable to emission rates in undisturbed grasslands. Further, phytoremediation was effective at reducing the concentration of fine particulates, including PM1, PM2.5, and PM4, which represent the airborne particulates with the greatest health risks and the greatest potential for long-distance transport. This study demonstrates that phytoremediation can substantially decrease dust emissions as well as the transport of windblown contaminants from mine tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Gil-Loaiza
- University of Arizona, Department of Soil- Water and Environmental Science, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Jason P. Field
- University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, Tucson- AZ 85721, USA
| | - Scott A. White
- University of Arizona, Department of Soil- Water and Environmental Science, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Janae Csavina
- University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, Tucson- AZ 85721, USA
| | - Omar Felix
- University of Arizona, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Tucson- AZ 85721, USA
| | - Eric A. Betterton
- University of Arizona, Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, Tucson- AZ 85721, USA
| | - A. Eduardo Sáez
- University of Arizona, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Tucson- AZ 85721, USA
| | - Raina M. Maier
- University of Arizona, Department of Soil- Water and Environmental Science, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Corresponding author: Raina M. Maier, Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Science, 1177 E. 4 Street, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0038, , Phone: 520-621-7231, Fax: 520-626-6782
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