Analyzing the effectiveness of various coatings to mitigate photovoltaic modules soiling in desert climate

IF 6.3 2区材料科学 Q2 ENERGY & FUELS

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells Pub Date : 2024-11-16 DOI:10.1016/j.solmat.2024.113278

Alaa Elsafi , Mohamed Abdelrahim , Mohamed Elgaili , Kamal Mroue , Ayman Samara , Atef Zekri , Guido Willers , Klemens Ilse , Brahim Aïssa , Hussam Qasem , Mujaheed Pasha , Said A. Mansour , Amir Abdallah

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In this work, two different anti-soiling coatings (ASC) and anti-reflection coatings (ARC) were developed and tested under real operating conditions in Doha, Qatar, and compared with uncoated glass (UNC) to identify the best coating properties for mitigating solar photovoltaic (PV) module soiling. Soiling was measured in terms of loss in light transmittance, measured by UV–Vis spectroscopy, and increase in surface coverage area, measured using optical microscopy. The results indicate a decrease in light transmittance and an increase in surface coverage area over time due to dust accumulation. ASC coupons show higher hydrophilicity and, therefore, less soiling. ASC/ARC leads to a higher loss in light transmittance, while UNC results in a higher surface coverage area compared to the other coupons. Over 25 weeks of outdoor exposure and 12 cleaning cycles, analysis of 13,320 light microscopy images revealed mean dust surface coverage areas for ASC, ASC/ARC, and UNC glass coupons of 14.6 %, 13.6 %, and 15.8 %, respectively. Unlike the ASC/ARC and UNC coupons, the ASC recovers to its initial condition immediately after cleaning. Therefore, ASC was found to maintain a cleaner glass surface compared to ASC/ARC and UNC. However, the differences in transmittance loss among the three coupons are not significant. The results were compared to findings from similar studies conducted in Saudi Arabia to evaluate regional differences in coatings performance. For the same coatings, a significant light transmittance loss was measured in Doha (Qatar) compared to Uyaynah (Saudi Arabia). The combination of high humidity and heavy dust in Qatar's extreme conditions reduces the effectiveness of both ASC/ARC and ASC coatings.

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分析各种涂层在减轻沙漠气候条件下光伏组件污损方面的效果

在这项工作中，开发了两种不同的防污涂层 (ASC) 和防反射涂层 (ARC)，并在卡塔尔多哈的实际操作条件下进行了测试，与未镀膜玻璃 (UNC) 进行了比较，以确定减轻太阳能光伏 (PV) 模块污损的最佳涂层特性。脏污是通过紫外可见光谱法测量透光率的损失和光学显微镜测量表面覆盖面积的增加来衡量的。结果表明，随着时间的推移，灰尘的积累会导致透光率的降低和表面覆盖面积的增加。ASC 试样显示出较高的亲水性，因此较少弄脏。与其他试样相比，ASC/ARC 试样的透光率损失较大，而 UNC 试样的表面覆盖面积较大。经过 25 周的室外曝晒和 12 个清洁周期，对 13,320 张光学显微镜图像的分析表明，ASC、ASC/ARC 和 UNC 玻璃试样的平均灰尘表面覆盖面积分别为 14.6%、13.6% 和 15.8%。与 ASC/ARC 和 UNC 玻片不同，ASC 在清洁后会立即恢复到初始状态。因此，与 ASC/ARC 和 UNC 相比，ASC 能保持更清洁的玻璃表面。不过，三种试样在透射率损失方面的差异并不显著。研究结果与在沙特阿拉伯进行的类似研究结果进行了比较，以评估涂层性能的地区差异。对于相同的涂层，在多哈（卡塔尔）测得的透光率损失比在乌耶纳（沙特阿拉伯）测得的要大。在卡塔尔的极端条件下，高湿度和重灰尘的结合降低了 ASC/ARC 和 ASC 涂层的效果。

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来源期刊

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 工程技术-材料科学：综合

CiteScore

12.60

自引率

11.60%

发文量

513

审稿时长

47 days

期刊介绍： Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells is intended as a vehicle for the dissemination of research results on materials science and technology related to photovoltaic, photothermal and photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion. Materials science is taken in the broadest possible sense and encompasses physics, chemistry, optics, materials fabrication and analysis for all types of materials.