Influence of seasonal effect on dust accumulation on Photovoltaic panels that operate light posts

Shenouda, R.; Abd-Elhady, M.S.; Kandil, Hamdy A.

doi:10.1016/j.egyr.2022.08.084

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 15 publications

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“…Dust accumulation on PV panels is given much concern nowadays especially in the MENA region. Several studies were done to investigate the influence of dust on the solar panel’s efficiency (Ekinci et al 2022 ; Shenouda et al 2022b ). In a study conducted by Mustafa et al ( 2020 ) in Jordan, it was found that dust accumulation on the panel’s surface has decreased the power output by 8.8% and the efficiency by 11.86%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical investigation of the effect of dust shields on accumulation of dust over PV panels

Shenouda

Abd-Elhady

Kandil

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Dust accumulation on photovoltaic panels represents a major challenge for the operation of solar panels especially in the regions known by their high rate of dust and low frequency of rain. The objective of this study is to minimize dust accumulation on PV panels operating street light posts using dust shields. A novel dust shield having the same width of the panel, and subtending an angle of 120° with the panel, is proposed for dust mitigation. Numerical simulations are carried out to evaluate the influence of the dust shield on dust accumulation over the panel’s surface. It is found that using a dust shield decreases the dust deposition rate by more than 44%. Moreover, extending the panel’s surface at the lower edge with an extension plate together with the dust shield decreases the dust deposition rate better than using a dust shield only. Also, the effect of adding an air gap between the shield and the added extension plate is investigated, and it is found that the air gap induces air drafts over the panel’s surface, which acts as an air barrier that obstructs the approach of dust particles to the panel’s surface. These drafts get stronger as the air gap thickness increases, accordingly, less particles deposit on the panel. Finally, it is found that using a dust shield with a length smaller than the panel’s length in addition to an extension plate together and increasing the thickness of the air gap is an effective and efficient solution for dust mitigation, such that the percentage decrease in the dust deposition rate that might be more than 88%.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical investigation of the effect of dust shields on accumulation of dust over PV panels

Shenouda

Abd-Elhady

Kandil

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Mitigation of dust on PV panels that operate light posts using a wind shield, mechanical vibrations and AN antistatic coating

Eisa

Shenouda

Abd-Elhady

et al. 2023

Ain Shams Engineering Journal

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A new cleaning method for solar panels inspired from the natural vibrations of tree branches and leaves

Abd-Elhady,

Rana,

Elsebaaie

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Photovoltaic (PV) panels are similar in many aspects to the leaves of trees, both are standing in the Sun to capture the sunlight, however, PV panels get soiled especially in desert areas, while the leaves remain clean to a very good extent. The question is, why leaves remain clean while PV panels get soiled quite easily? The leaves are hanging on the stem of trees and these stems are flexible to motion, such that if the wind blows in any direction over the stem it vibrates allowing any deposited particle to fall off the surface. The objective of this research is to develop a fixation method for PV panels similar to the stems of trees, such that the panel can vibrate as the wind blows in order to minimize dust accumulation. Different fixation methods for the PV panel are designed, and the air flow around the panel is simulated using the CFD package Ansys Fluent. It has been found that a PV panel pivoted at its lower edge, such that it can revolve around the lower edge, together with a vertical wind shield attached to its upper edge and a spring attached at the middle of its backside has the largest vibration amplitude due to the applied wind compared to the other designs. Experiments have been done to infer the influence of the new fixation method of the PV panel on dust accumulation over the panel. After 6 weeks of operation, it has been found that the efficiency of the PV panel that is flexibly fixed has dropped by only 5%, while the efficiency of the panel that is rigidly fixed has dropped by 25%. It can be concluded that a PV panel operating a light post should be fixed on a flexible base that allows the panel to vibrate as the wind blows over it in order to mitigate dust.

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Influence of seasonal effect on dust accumulation on Photovoltaic panels that operate light posts

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 publications

Numerical investigation of the effect of dust shields on accumulation of dust over PV panels

Numerical investigation of the effect of dust shields on accumulation of dust over PV panels

Mitigation of dust on PV panels that operate light posts using a wind shield, mechanical vibrations and AN antistatic coating

A new cleaning method for solar panels inspired from the natural vibrations of tree branches and leaves

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