Regional and national scale spatial variability of photovoltaic cover plate soiling and subsequent solar transmission losses

Boyle, L; Burton, PD; Danner, V; Hannigan, MP; King, B

HERO ID

4171534

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2017

Language

English

HERO ID 4171534
In Press No
Year 2017
Title Regional and national scale spatial variability of photovoltaic cover plate soiling and subsequent solar transmission losses
Authors Boyle, L; Burton, PD; Danner, V; Hannigan, MP; King, B
Volume 7
Issue 5
Page Numbers 1354-1361
Abstract Soiling can cause large reductions in solar energy system production. To study the spatial variability of soiling, transmission loss and mass accumulation of particulates on photovoltaic (PV) cover plates were measured at five sites across the continental United States. Three sites were in the Front Range of Colorado in rural, suburban, and urban areas representing a semi-arid environment. One site was in Cocoa Florida in a hot and humid environment, and the final site was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a hot and arid environment. Total suspended particulate concentrations (TSP) were measured simultaneously at each site. Comparisons between transmission loss and mass accumulation measurements are made. Both mass accumulation and ambient TSP are shown to have some predictive power for transmission loss. Mean deposition velocities of 1.5 cm/s were observed. For every g/m(2) of PM deposited on the PV cover plate, a 2.8% reduction in transmission was observed independent of site. These results provide a method for estimating soiling rates at sites across the United States.
Doi 10.1109/JPHOTOV.2017.2731939
Wosid WOS:000408160700026
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Journal:IEEE JOURNAL OF PHOTOVOLTAICS 2156-3381
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Photovoltaic cells; power system reliability; solar energy; soil; solar power generation
Is Peer Review Yes