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Photovoltaic cleaning frequency optimization under different degradation rate patterns

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  • Micheli, Leonardo
  • Theristis, Marios
  • Talavera, Diego L.
  • Almonacid, Florencia
  • Stein, Joshua S.
  • Fernández, Eduardo F.

Abstract

Dust accumulation significantly affects the performance of photovoltaic modules and its impact can be mitigated by various cleaning methods. Optimizing the cleaning frequency is essential to minimize the soiling losses and, at the same time, the costs. However, the effectiveness of cleaning lowers with time because of the reduced energy yield due to degradation. Additionally, economic factors such as the escalation in electricity price and inflation can compound or counterbalance the effect of degradation on the soiling mitigation profits. The present study analyzes the impact of degradation, escalation in electricity price and inflation on the revenues and costs of cleanings and proposes a methodology to maximize the profits of soiling mitigation of any system. The energy performance and soiling losses of a 1 MW system installed in southern Spain were analyzed and integrated with theoretical linear and nonlinear degradation rate patterns. The Levelized Cost of Energy and Net Present Value were used as criteria to identify the optimum cleaning strategies. The results showed that the two metrics convey distinct cleaning recommendations, as they are influenced by different factors. For the given site, despite the degradation effects, the optimum cleaning frequency is found to increase with time of operation.

Suggested Citation

  • Micheli, Leonardo & Theristis, Marios & Talavera, Diego L. & Almonacid, Florencia & Stein, Joshua S. & Fernández, Eduardo F., 2020. "Photovoltaic cleaning frequency optimization under different degradation rate patterns," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 136-146.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:166:y:2020:i:c:p:136-146
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.11.044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Rodrigo, Pedro M. & Gutiérrez, Sebastián & Micheli, Leonardo & Fernández, Eduardo F. & Almonacid, Florencia, 2020. "Optimum cleaning schedule of photovoltaic systems based on levelised cost of energy and case study in central Mexico," MPRA Paper 104173, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    1. Lucia Cattani & Paolo Cattani & Anna Magrini, 2021. "Photovoltaic Cleaning Optimization: A Simplified Theoretical Approach for Air to Water Generator (AWG) System Employment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Romero-Fiances, Irene & Livera, Andreas & Theristis, Marios & Makrides, George & Stein, Joshua S. & Nofuentes, Gustavo & de la Casa, Juan & Georghiou, George E., 2022. "Impact of duration and missing data on the long-term photovoltaic degradation rate estimation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 738-748.
    3. Micheli, Leonardo & Theristis, Marios & Talavera, Diego L. & Nofuentes, Gustavo & Stein, Joshua S. & Almonacid, Florencia & Fernández, Eduardo F., 2022. "The economic value of photovoltaic performance loss mitigation in electricity spot markets," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 486-497.
    4. Hasan Masrur & Keifa Vamba Konneh & Mikaeel Ahmadi & Kaisar R. Khan & Mohammad Lutfi Othman & Tomonobu Senjyu, 2021. "Assessing the Techno-Economic Impact of Derating Factors on Optimally Tilted Grid-Tied Photovoltaic Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-21, February.
    5. Tuhibur Rahman & Ahmed Al Mansur & Molla Shahadat Hossain Lipu & Md. Siddikur Rahman & Ratil H. Ashique & Mohamad Abou Houran & Rajvikram Madurai Elavarasan & Eklas Hossain, 2023. "Investigation of Degradation of Solar Photovoltaics: A Review of Aging Factors, Impacts, and Future Directions toward Sustainable Energy Management," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-30, April.

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