Effect of Dust On Solar Cell

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 Solar panels are devices that convert light into
electricity. A solar panel is a collection of
solar cell. Lots of small solar cells spread over
a large area can work together to provide
enough power to be useful.
 Accumulation of dust from the outdoor environment on the
panels of solar photovoltaic (PV) system is natural.
 There were studies that showed that the accumulated dust

can reduce the performance of solar panels, but the results
were not clearly quantified. The objective of this research was
to study the effects of dust accumulation on the performance
of solar PV panels.
A photovoltaic system (protected with cover glass) for harvesting solar
energy is usually installed in sun-drenched desert areas, outdoors and
roof tops of urban and rural areas, where dry weather and winds
sweep dust and deposit onto the surface of the solar panel. Hence,
the glass covering system is commonly used to protect the solar cells
from moisture, rain, traffic dust, heat, ultraviolet radiation, bird
excrement and corrosive acidic rain in real outdoor environments.
During the course of time, the glass surfaces of the solar panels
become contaminated with the dust particles from transport vehicles,
industrial chimney wastes and pollution. Such dust particles deposited
over the cover glass of the panels hinder the incident light photons to
reach the working part of the solar cell and consequently reduces the
output electrical power.
1.The characteristics of dust settlement on PV systems are dictated by two
primary factors that influence each other, viz., the property of dust and the
local environment. The local environment comprises site-specific factors
influenced by the nature of prevailing (human) activities, built environment
characteristics (surface finishes, orientation and height of installation),
environmental features (vegetation type) and weather conditions.
2.The high pollution level of India is extremely dangerous and coat existing
solar panels with dust, requiring almost daily cleaning. An approximate
statistics of dust accumulation from various sources .
3.Soiling of solar panels can occur as a result of dust and dirt accumulation.
In many cases, the dirt is washed off the panel surface by rainfall or water
sprinkling; however dirt like bird droppings may stay even after heavy rains.
The most critical part of a module is the lower edges. Usually, large-scale
solar power plants are being installed in desert and dry areas across the
India.
1.The accumulation of dust on the solar cells panels worsens the
situation and lowers the efficiency of the solar cells day by day
especially in the regions known by their high rate of dust, low
frequency and intensity of rain. The accumulated dust on the solar
cells panel blocks the cells from the sun’s rays and act as a
screening effect as shown by the calculated spectral transmittance
of dust which decreases the performance of the solar cells over
time until the cell panels are cleaned manually or by rain.
2.It was found from the study that the accumulated dust on the
surface of photovoltaic solar panel can reduce the system's
efficiency by up to 50%.
3.But, dust accumulation is an unavoidable problem in these areas as it
forms as layers and decreases the solar power conversion of 40% and these
plants may lose nearly 30% energy output within short period . Hence, it is
highly essential to maintain the solar cell panels with frequent cleaning with
the installation of automatic cleaning systems like solar wash or, manually
which may increase the cost of panel and its maintenance
In considering the issues presented above, it is strongly insisted that cleaning of
cover glass of the solar panels is mandatory and obligatory part of the
maintenance. There have been several methods suggested for maintaining the
solar panel efficiency, which includes manual cleaning, natural source of cleaning
and by mechanical mode of cleaning via wipers and robotic arm.
1.Manual cleaning represents a high peril for cleaning persons who works at a
height of 12 – 30 feet from the ground level and a tiresome work in the case of
large area surfaces. The wiper type cleans the solar panel cover glass with a
device just like automobile windscreen-wiper. The wiper consists of an
electrostatic cloth which needs to be charged and difficult to be scaled for large
area surfaces.
2.Mechanical mode of cleaning includes the use of wiper and robotic arm.The
robot type seems efficient in cleaning strongly adhered dust particles and large
area surfaces, but it requires high voltage for operation and human intervention
is required to start the operation and while moving from one row to another.
3.Natural sources of cleaning includes wind and rain storms will effectively clean
the solar panel cover glasses. Cleaning with wind is reported as a non- feasible
technique, as there is a need of high wind velocity to clear off the dust particles
and the velocity will vary according to different geographical locations and
seasonal conditions. Cleaning with rain is whispered as a method of effective
cleaning, but actually it is a method of cleaning with low efficiency and if the
pollution of the local environment is high, leaves debris over the surface of the
solar panel after rainfall.
Self – cleaning coatings based on superhydrophilicity is generally defined as
exhibiting a water contact angle is almost 0°. On such a surface, water droplets
spread very quickly and the water runs off the surface with considerable velocity.
Pitcher plants, also known as carnivorous plants, possess pitcher-shaped leaves to
capture prey (primarily insects). Like insect – pollinated flowers, the pitchers
attract insects by presenting visual and olfactory signals and offering food
rewards.
however, the insects trapped on the pitcher rim (peristome) fall prey to the
bottom part of the pitcher, filled with a digestive fluid to make the captured prey
drown and subsequently decompose. One of the most important features of the
pitcher plant for capturing the insects is considered to be its slippery surface. The
surface of the peristome shows super hydrophilicity due to the surface micro-
topography and secretion of hygroscopic nectar. As a result, stable water films are
formed under humid conditions. This water film causes the insects that step on it
to slide from the rim into the bottom of the pitcher plant by repelling the oils on
their feet. Inspired by the system seen in the pitcher plant slippery surface, lot of
synthetic liquid-repellent surfaces were fabricated.
At last I would like to say that Solar Panel is the best
renewable source of energy and it can be improved just
by adopting few methods to minimize effect of dust on
the Solar-Panel.

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India eye towards reneawable energy

Increase in Power demand

 There were studies that showed that the accumulated dust

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