Mitigating the effect of heat and dust to enhance solar panels efficiency

Abstract

Solar panels are used to directly convert sunlight into electric current. Associated with a useful range of the solar spectrum is the rest unwanted irradiation, causing the temperature rise in the solar cells, which ultimately reduces the efficiency and power output of most of panels. Furthermore, dust settlement on the surface of panel, also referred to soiling, is another factor that reduces the efficiency, at least by shading. A novel, simple, cheap and robust system has been proposed in this study to mitigate the notorious effects of heat, as well as dust, through the use of forced air draft produced via a fan. The findings highlight that a cumulative power gain of at least 48.4 W under tested conditions can be achieved by implementing this system, on an array of solar panels constituting eight modules. Whereas, including the effect of natural wind in the analyses, further increases the power gain. The results obtained have been validated by the use of 3D finite element modeling, as well as through literature.