Abstract:
Non-uniform soiling drastically decreases the power generation of PV panels.
Different events are responsible for the non-uniform soiling on PV panels for
example bird droppings, sand storms, or snowfall. In this study, we have
achieved multiple-goals for analyzing the effect of non-uniform soiling on a PV
module output. We also analyzed the revenue losses due to the non-uniform
soiling in a PV power plant. Firstly, for observing the effect of non-uniform
soiling an I-V scanner has been designed. Secondly, the designed I-V scanner has
been used to observe the changes in the I-V characteristics curve of PV panels
due to non-uniform soiling and shading conditions. In this study, we have
conducted various controlled experiments by providing different shading
conditions on the PV panel and observing the I-V curve changes. A correlation
has been done with the various shadowing conditions like the bottom edge
soiling condition of PV panels or bird-dropping. In a PV power plant, nonuniform soiling may occur at the edge of PV panels after cleaning intervention.
Considering these scenarios, we have done an economic analysis for
determining the effect of non-uniform soiling on the revenue of PV power
plants. Finally, the relations between the cleaning cycle, performance loss factor,
and solar cell area coverage with respect to revenue have been also discussed in
this article.
