Numerical simulation of dust deposition influences on building integrated photovoltaic array

Abstract

Airborne dust deposition on building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) modules can significantly reduce the photovoltaic (PV) efficiency. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of dust deposition and its impact on building-integrated photovoltaic array. A validated numerical simulation with a shear stress transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model and a discrete particle model was employed in this study. By systematically manipulating wind velocity and spacing between BIPV modules, the dust deposition rate on the BIPV modules and its concurrent effect on power generation were quantified. The results showed that the accumulation of dust on the front row panels exceeded that on the rear row. Notably, higher wind velocities were associated with reduced photovoltaic power output. The dust deposition rate peaked at 7.17 % for 200 μm particles, then dropped to a minimum of 0.82 % for 600 μm particles. Dust deposition rates on solar panels showed a consistent trend across different roof inclination angles at 16.7° (1.39 %), 22.6° (2.54 %), 36.9° (3.74 %), and 45° (4.58 %). Increased building spacing led to higher dust deposition on the front row, primarily due to gravitational effects. Overall, this study thoroughly examined how dust size, wind velocity, spacing between buildings and the roof inclination of buildings affect dust deposition behaviors.