Effect of soiling in CPV systems
Date
2010
Authors
Vivar, Marta
Herrero, R
Anton, I
Martınez-Moreno, F
Moreton, R
Sala, G
Smeltink, John
Blakers, Andrew
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Volume Title
Publisher
Pergamon-Elsevier Ltd
Abstract
The effect of soiling in flat PV modules has been already studied, causing a reduction of the electrical output of 4% on average. For CPV's, as far as soiling produces light scattering at the optical collector surface, the scattered rays should be definitively lost because they cannot be focused onto the receivers again. While the theoretical study becomes difficult because soiling is variable at different sites, it becomes easier to begin the monitoring of the real field performance of concentrators and then raise the following question: how much does the soiling affect to PV concentrators in comparison with flat panels?' The answers allow to predict the PV concentrator electrical performance and to establish a pattern of cleaning frequency. Some experiments have been conducted at the IES-UPM and CSES-ANU sites, consisting in linear reflective concentration systems, a point focus refractive concentrator and a flat module. All the systems have been measured when soiled and then after cleaning, achieving different increases of ISC. In general, results show that CPV systems are more sensitive to soiling than flat panels, accumulating losses in ISC of about 14% on average in three different tests conducted at IES-UPM and CSES-ANU test sites in Madrid (Spain) and Canberra (Australia). Some concentrators can reach losses up to 26% when the system is soiled for 4 months of exposure.
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Keywords
Keywords: Australia; Canberra; Concentration fields; Electrical output; Electrical performance; Field performance; Flat module; Flat panel; PV modules; Test site; Theoretical study; Real variables; Solar concentrators; Concentration (process); environmental monitor Concentration; Field performance; Losses; Soiling
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Source
Solar Energy
Type
Journal article
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2037-12-31
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