Characterization of electrodynamic screen performance for dust removal from solar panels and solar hydrogen generators

Abstract

The solar energy conversion in Gigawatt (GW) scales by photovoltaic, photothermal, and photoelectrochemical processes is of national and global importance. High transmission efficiency of sunlight through the top cover glass plates of the solar panels for light absorption and high light reflection efficiency of the mirrors for concentrating solar radiation for their incidence on solar energy conversion devices are needed. Automated cleaning processes, either passive or active processes are needed for cost-effective operation of these devices. Transparent electrodynamic screens (EnS), consisting of rows of transparent parallel electrodes embedded within transparent dielectric film can be used for dust removal. When the electrodes are activated by phased voltage, the dust particles on the surface of the film become electrostatically charged and are removed by the traveling wave generated by applied electric field. Over 90% of deposited dust is removed within two minutes, using a very small fraction of the energy produced by the panels. No water or mechanical cleaning is needed. We report here the processes involved in charging the dust layer deposited on the EnS and characterization of the charging efficiency. The performance of the EnS for dust removal from the solar panels, solar concentrators, and solar hydrogen generators is presented.

Friction, tribochemistry and triboelectricity: recent progress and perspectives

“…of dust particles in solar panels (SPs). 43 Huge efforts have been made to obtain better materials to increase solar energy conversion efficiency and each one-percent gain is celebrated by researchers and the media. However, one of the biggest 75 limitations for the SP efficiency in the field is the shielding of light due to deposition of electrified dust.…”

Dust settles, we don’t: The electrodynamic screen—A self-cleaning technology for concentrated solar power mirrors and photovoltaic panels

“…Due to frequent dust storms and chronic and recurring dust-carrying winds that are characteristic of these regions, the surface of the harvesting systems gets covered by layers of dust deposits. Annually, solar power plants suffer a loss of almost 40% efficiency (0.2% daily, 1% to 5% in a month) 1,2 due to dust layer build-up, commonly referred to as 'soiling' and hence need to be frequently cleaned.…”

Energy cost saving strategies in distributed power networks

“…Self-charging PV cost modeling: the photovoltaic cost is given by the sum up of the technological investment (Cinvest) cost, the maintenance cost (Cmain) and the inefficiency cost (Cinef) due to the obscuration of the sunlight. The inefficiency cost depends on the dust deposition rate [2] which varies over a wide range both with respect to the time of the year and the location. The PV inefficiency cost during a time period t is then defined by:…”