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Technical and economic study of the sand and dust accumulation impact on the energy performance of photovoltaic system in Algerian Sahara

Author

Listed:
  • Sahouane, Nordine
  • Ziane, Abderrezzaq
  • Dabou, Rachid
  • Neçaibia, Ammar
  • Rouabhia, Abdelkrim
  • Lachtar, Salah
  • Blal, Mohammed
  • Slimani, Abdeldjalil
  • Boudjamaa, Tidjar

Abstract

In this work, experimental studies were carried out to study in detail the impact of sand and dust on the electrical performance of photovoltaic modules in the Adrar region. For this, a comparison between two identical photovoltaic systems of 7 kWp each (PV17 and PV67) was carried out, the PV17 is cleaned regularly and the PV67 is cleaned infrequently. The experiment results reveal a significant impact of sand and dust accumulation on the electrical performance of the systems. The energy losses just after exposure to sandstorms are 7.37 kWh (1.45% of total production in 07 days of operation and two days of sandstorms), for dust accumulation they are 2.2 kWh, 3.2 kWh, 5.13 kWh, and 4 kWh after 6, 11, 18 and 23 days of operation respectively. The results show that cleaning PV systems immediately after sandstorm days can significantly reduce energy losses. For dust accumulation works, cleaning once every 20 days allows the PV systems to have energy reduction by 1.60%. The economic study carried out in this work shows that PV systems cleaning in the Adrar region is financially profitable with capacities greater than 20 kWp and energy gain greater than 2.74 kWh.

Suggested Citation

  • Sahouane, Nordine & Ziane, Abderrezzaq & Dabou, Rachid & Neçaibia, Ammar & Rouabhia, Abdelkrim & Lachtar, Salah & Blal, Mohammed & Slimani, Abdeldjalil & Boudjamaa, Tidjar, 2023. "Technical and economic study of the sand and dust accumulation impact on the energy performance of photovoltaic system in Algerian Sahara," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 142-155.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:205:y:2023:i:c:p:142-155
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.01.033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sahouane, Nordine & Dabou, Rachid & Ziane, Abderrezzaq & Neçaibia, Ammar & Bouraiou, Ahmed & Rouabhia, Abdelkrim & Mohammed, Blal, 2019. "Energy and economic efficiency performance assessment of a 28 kWp photovoltaic grid-connected system under desertic weather conditions in Algerian Sahara," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1318-1330.
    2. Bouchouicha, Kada & Hassan, Muhammed A. & Bailek, Nadjem & Aoun, Nouar, 2019. "Estimating the global solar irradiation and optimizing the error estimates under Algerian desert climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 844-858.
    3. Hachicha, Ahmed Amine & Al-Sawafta, Israa & Said, Zafar, 2019. "Impact of dust on the performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems under United Arab Emirates weather conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 287-297.
    4. Saidan, Motasem & Albaali, Abdul Ghani & Alasis, Emil & Kaldellis, John K., 2016. "Experimental study on the effect of dust deposition on solar photovoltaic panels in desert environment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 499-505.
    5. Maghami, Mohammad Reza & Hizam, Hashim & Gomes, Chandima & Radzi, Mohd Amran & Rezadad, Mohammad Ismael & Hajighorbani, Shahrooz, 2016. "Power loss due to soiling on solar panel: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1307-1316.
    6. Stambouli, Amine Boudghene, 2011. "Promotion of renewable energies in Algeria: Strategies and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 1169-1181, February.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ruan, Dawei & Fan, Cheng & Hu, Mingwei & Li, Yumin & Guan, Jun, 2025. "Building-integrated photovoltaics through multi-physics synergies: A critical review of optical, thermal, and electrical models in facade applications," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    3. Qi, Jiacheng & Dong, Qichang & Song, Ye & Zhao, Xiaoqing & Shi, Long, 2025. "Combining dust scaling behaviors of PV panels and water cleaning methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    4. Zhao, Weiping & Lv, Yukun & Dong, Zhiguang & Zhao, Fang & Lv, Fengyong & Yan, Weiping, 2024. "Effect of self-cleaning superhydrophobic coating on dust deposition and performance of PV modules," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    5. Islam, Md. Imamul & Jadin, Mohd Shawal & Al Mansur, Ahmed, 2025. "Characterization of accumulated unknown and soil dust on the PV system: An experimental study on the impact and performance analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    6. Mina Nezamisavojbolaghi & Erfan Davodian & Amal Bouich & Mouhaydine Tlemçani & Oumaima Mesbahi & Fernando M. Janeiro, 2023. "The Impact of Dust Deposition on PV Panels’ Efficiency and Mitigation Solutions: Review Article," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Hussam Almukhtar & Tek Tjing Lie & Wisam A. M. Al-Shohani & Timothy Anderson & Zaid Al-Tameemi, 2023. "Comprehensive Review of Dust Properties and Their Influence on Photovoltaic Systems: Electrical, Optical, Thermal Models and Experimentation Techniques," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-31, April.

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