Estimate of Soiling Rates Based on Soiling Monitoring Station and PV System Data: Case Study for Equatorial-Climate Brazil

Costa, Suellen Caroline Silva; Kazmerski, Lawrence L.; Diniz, Antonia Sonia A. C.

doi:10.1109/jphotov.2020.3047187

Cited by 15 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…The fact that the soiling layers absorb different portions of the solar spectrum has been reported [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. The soiling particulates collected from the surface of the modules in the present study have been analyzed [53][54][55], with component constituents (specifically hematite and calcite) that are similar to those reported as having additional absorption in the low-wavelength range of the AM1.5 solar spectrum [51,56,57]. The optical transmission wavelength characteristics of the module glass itself are presented in Figure 5a for both the mc-Si and CdTe module-glass covers.…”

Section: Spectral and Physical/compositional Properties Of The Soilin...mentioning

confidence: 58%

“…The model uses a simple linear approach using conditions (SRate) and temperature evaluations [51,52]. The experimental evaluations are based upon the soiling properties monitored for mc-Si and thin-film modules.…”

Section: Methodology and Experimental Detailsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The model calculation comparing Si and CdTe is presented graphically in Figure 3, with the normalized P max as a function of soiling days for various module temperatures. The model assumes a uniform soiling rate over the period, normalization to 1-kW/m 2 irradiance, parameter independence, and uses P max [49][50][51]. The model predication is also shown with the normalized module P max as a function of module temperature for t3-selected soiling exposures in Figure 4 for the same conditions as Figure 3.…”

Section: The Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The temperature characteristics of these four module technologies are measured to evaluate specific power-temperature coefficients of the modules used in these investigations. The models are tested against data collected over several years using our soiling monitoring systems in Belo Horizonte [49][50][51]. The model and these data are used to identify the conditions under which these different technologies might have operational advantages-the major objective and contribution of this paper.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The model and these data are used to identify the conditions under which these different technologies might have operational advantages-the major objective and contribution of this paper. Horizonte [49][50][51]. The model and these data are used to identify the conditions under which these different technologies might have operational advantages-the major objective and contribution of this paper. )…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Soiling Spectral and Module Temperature Effects: Comparisons of Competing Operating Parameters for Four Commercial PV Module Technologies

et al. 2022

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The choice of a particular PV technology for best performance is sometimes based upon a single factor or single operating condition. However, many parameters have functionalities that oppose each under actual operating conditions. In this paper, the comparisons of different PV module technologies under moderate environmental conditions (Tropical Climate Zone, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) are explored based upon the two competing parameters of soiling-layer spectral effects and panel operating temperature. Specifically, low-bandgap PV technologies (e.g., Si or Cu(In,Ga)(SSe)2) are reported to have performances less affected by the absorption of incoming sunlight than higher-bandgap absorbers (e.g., a-Si:H or CdTe). However, the opposite is true for operating temperatures, with higher bandgaps having advantages under higher-temperature operating conditions. We present a simple comparative soiling-temperature model with experimental collaborative data to address the following question: What is the controlling parameter of the combination of soiling spectral effects and temperature on lower- and higher-bandgap module technologies? Temperature coefficients are measured for groups of modules for the four technologies having bandgaps ranging from 1.1 to 1.7 eV. Additional optical absorption for the soiling layers in the range of 300 nm to ~600 nm is confirmed by transmission measurements. The data from our soiling monitoring stations indicate that these potential spectral effects are based on consistent differences in soiling ratios and soiling rates. Some differences between the model predications and experimental observations are discussed. This paper reports temperature and soiling regions of “best-of-class” performances for these four commercial PV technologies in this climate region based upon the two competing parameters.

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