In recent years, photovoltaic (PV) modules are widely used in many applications around the world. However, this renewable energy is plagued by dust, airborne particles, humidity, and high ambient temperatures. This paper studies the effect of dust soiling on silicon-based photovoltaic panel performance in a mini-solar power plant located in Dakar (Senegal, 14˚42'N latitude, 17˚28'W longitude). Results of the current-voltage (I -V) characteristics of photovoltaic panels tested under real conditions. We modeled a silicon-based PV cell in a dusty environment as a stack of thin layers of dust, glass and silicon. The silicon layer is modeled as a P-N junction. The study performed under standard laboratory conditions with input data of irradiation at 1000 W/m 2 , cell temperature at 25˚C and solar spectrum with Air Mass (AM) at 1.5 for the monocrystalline silicon PV cell (m-Si). The analysis with an ellipsometer of dust samples collected on photovoltaic panels allowed to obtain the refraction indices (real and imaginary) of these particles which will complete the input parameters of the model. Results show that for a photon flux arriving on dust layer of 70 μm (corresponding to dust deposit of 3.3 g/m 2 ) deposited on silicon-based PV cells, short circuit current decreases from 54 mA (for a clean cell) to 26 mA. Also, conversion efficiency decreases by 50% compared to clean cell and the cell fill factor decreases by 76% -50% compared to reference PV cell.
The objective of this work is to evaluate the available solar potential at N'Djamena (12˚08N, 15˚04E) from 2017 to 2018. To achieve this goal, we used various datasets and model including: the in situ shortwave radiation (by pyranometer) measurement and sunshine duration (by Campbell-Stokes heliograph) obtained from N'Djamena station, observations from MODIS (aerosol optical depth (AOD) and precipitable water) satellite sensors, and simulations from Streamer radiative code. The results show the presence of a good available solar potential with an annual global potential of 4.71 kWh/m 2 /d. At the intra-seasonal time scale, there are two maximums for the global solar potential. The first maximum is registered in the month of March (spring) with value of 5.7 kWh/m 2 /d and the second in October (autumn) with value of 5.18 kWh/m 2 /d. However, the minimum of global potential is recorded in winter (from December to February) with values around 3.86 kWh/m 2 /d. Then, the measured global irradiation allowed validating the Streamer radiative transfer code with a score of more than 98%. Subsequently, this model was used to simulate direct normal and diffuse irradiation for several types of days (clear, dusty and cloudy days). An examination of the dust influence on solar radiation based on selected cases (AOD = 2.05) indicates a mean decrease of 3.33 and 3.17 kWh/m 2 /d, respectively, for the total and direct normal potential. This corresponds to an increase of the diffuse potential of 0.52 kWh/m 2 /d. Finally, an increase of 5.82 cm of precipitable water per day tends to decrease the overall potential of 0.73 kWh/m 2 /d and the direct normal potential of 1.74 kWh/m 2 /d. For this cloudy day, the potential has increased more than 0.89 kWh/m 2 /d.
The study presented in this article focuses on the temporal dynamics of wind energy production at the Taïba Ndiaye wind farm in Senegal. The monthly and seasonal distribution of production shows a strong trend, with maximums recorded between December and May (winter and spring), and minimums between July and November (summer and autumn). The diurnal cycle representation exhibits variation with a marked cycle, particularly between November and April. Night-time production is higher than daytime production by more than 43%. The effects of 100-meter wind on the farm production are also analysed and show a positive correlation between wind speed and production throughout the year. Production peaks observed in winter and spring are caused by strong winds, while the lowest levels recorded during the summer season are due to weather conditions characterized by weak winds. Similarly, optimal wind directions are observed in winter and spring, periods of maximum production, when the winds blow between the northwest and northeast.
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