Analyzing the Effectiveness of Various Coatings in Mitigating Soiling and Enhancing Reflection for Photovoltaic (PV) Systems in Desert Climate |
A.M.E. Ahmed1, M. Abdelrahim2, M. Elgaili2, K. Mroue3, A. Samara3, M. Pasha3, G. Willers4, K. IIlse4, B. Aïssa1, A.A. Abdallah1 1Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, --, Qatar /2Bin Omran Trading & Telecommunications, Doha, --, Qatar /3Bin Omran Trading & Telecommunications, Doha, --, Qatar /4Core Laboratories, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, --, Qatar /5Core Laboratories, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, --, Qatar /6Core Laboratories, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, --, Qatar /7Fraunhofer-Center for Silicon-Photovoltaics (CSP), Halle (Saale), --, Germany /8Fraunhofer-Center for Silicon-Photovoltaics (CSP), Halle (Saale), --, Germany /9Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, --, Qatar /10Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, --, Qatar |
In desert climates, the performance of Photovoltaic (PV) systems may benefit, on one side, from high solar irradiation and high albedo; however, on the other side, the performance of the PV system may suffer from the accumulation of dust on the PV module front glass. In this work, two different anti-soiling coatings (ASC) and anti-reflection coatings (ARC) coupons were developed and tested in real operating conditions and compared with uncoated glass coupons. UV-vis-NIR, light microscopy, and SEM analysis were carried out. Soiling was measured in terms of loss in light transmission and increase in surface area coverage. Uncoated glass leads to a higher loss in light transmission and a higher surface coverage area compared with ASC and ASC/ARC. ASC coupons show higher hydrophilicity and, therefore, less soiling. Across 8 weeks of outdoor exposure and 3 cleaning cycles, analysis of 3728 light microscopy images revealed a mean dust surface coverage area for ASC, ASC/ARC, and uncoated coupons of 17.9%, 15.3%, and 20.0%, respectively. For the cycle between November 14 and November 26, the ASC, ASC/ARC, and uncoated coupon dust surface coverage areas increased by 32.2%, 27.2%, and 22.0%, respectively. Unlike the ASC/ARC and uncoated coupon, the ASC recovers to its initial condition right after coupon cleaning. Degradation of the ASC/ARC coupons and uncoated glass was systematically observed. |