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Organic Soiling: The Role of Pollen in PV Module Performance Degradation

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  • Ricardo Conceição

    (Renewable Energies Chair, University of Evora, 7002-554 Evora, Portugal
    Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Evora, 7000-671 Evora, Portugal)

  • Hugo G. Silva

    (Renewable Energies Chair, University of Evora, 7002-554 Evora, Portugal
    Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Evora, 7000-671 Evora, Portugal)

  • José Mirão

    (Hercules Laboratory, University of Evora, 7000-089 Evora, Portugal)

  • Manuel Collares-Pereira

    (Renewable Energies Chair, University of Evora, 7002-554 Evora, Portugal
    Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Evora, 7000-671 Evora, Portugal)

Abstract

Soiling is a problem for solar energy harvesting technologies, such as in photovoltaic modules technologies. This paper describes not only one complete year of Soiling Ratioindex and rates measured in a rural environment of Southern Europe, but also focuses on the seasonal variation of the type of soiling, mainly spring and summer. The Soiling Ratio index is calculated based on the maximum power output and short circuit current of two photovoltaic (PV) panels, along with Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray of glass samples to provide visual and chemical inspection of the type of soiling. Mass accumulation on glass samples mounted on a “glass tree” was weekly measured with a microbalance and related with the Soiling Ratio metrics. Soiling rates were calculated to infer the degree of soiling for each season and the respective comparison made. Results show a soiling rate of 4.1%/month in April (spring), 1.9%/month in July (summer) and 1.6%/month in September (fall). Rain (the main natural cleaning agent of the photovoltaic modules) as well as aerosol optical depth (proxy for atmospheric particle concentration) were correlated with the Soiling Ratio. In-depth analysis on the type of organic soiling was performed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo Conceição & Hugo G. Silva & José Mirão & Manuel Collares-Pereira, 2018. "Organic Soiling: The Role of Pollen in PV Module Performance Degradation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:2:p:294-:d:128776
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lynda Hamaoui-Laguel & Robert Vautard & Li Liu & Fabien Solmon & Nicolas Viovy & Dmitry Khvorostyanov & Franz Essl & Isabelle Chuine & Augustin Colette & Mikhail A. Semenov & Alice Schaffhauser & Jona, 2015. "Effects of climate change and seed dispersal on airborne ragweed pollen loads in Europe," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 5(8), pages 766-771, August.
    2. Figgis, Benjamin & Ennaoui, Ahmed & Ahzi, Said & Rémond, Yves, 2017. "Review of PV soiling particle mechanics in desert environments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 872-881.
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    1. Conceição, Ricardo & González-Aguilar, José & Merrouni, Ahmed Alami & Romero, Manuel, 2022. "Soiling effect in solar energy conversion systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    2. Wilfried van Sark, 2019. "Photovoltaic System Design and Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-6, May.
    3. Conceição, Ricardo & Vázquez, Iñigo & Fialho, Luis & García, Daniel, 2020. "Soiling and rainfall effect on PV technology in rural Southern Europe," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 743-747.
    4. Thamer Alquthami & Karim Menoufi, 2019. "Soiling of Photovoltaic Modules: Comparing between Two Distinct Locations within the Framework of Developing the Photovoltaic Soiling Index (PVSI)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-13, August.
    5. 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).
    6. Polo, Jesús & Martín-Chivelet, Nuria & Sanz-Saiz, Carlos & Alonso-Montesinos, Joaquín & López, Gabriel & Alonso-Abella, Miguel & Battles, Francisco J. & Marzo, Aitor & Hanrieder, Natalie, 2021. "Modeling soiling losses for rooftop PV systems in suburban areas with nearby forest in Madrid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 420-428.
    7. Pallavi Bharadwaj & Vinod John, 2021. "High-Power Closed-Loop SMPC-Based Photovoltaic System Characterization under Varying Ambient Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, August.
    8. Conceição, Ricardo & Silva, Hugo G. & Fialho, Luis & Lopes, Francis M. & Collares-Pereira, Manuel, 2019. "PV system design with the effect of soiling on the optimum tilt angle," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 787-796.
    9. Li, Fuxiang & Yuan, Ziming & Wu, Wei, 2024. "Experimental investigation of soiling losses on photovoltaic in high-density urban environments," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 369(C).
    10. Aránzazu Fernández-García & Adel Juaidi & Florian Sutter & Lucía Martínez-Arcos & Francisco Manzano-Agugliaro, 2018. "Solar Reflector Materials Degradation Due to the Sand Deposited on the Backside Protective Paints," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-20, March.
    11. Mohammed Al-Housani & Yusuf Bicer & Muammer Koç, 2019. "Assessment of Various Dry Photovoltaic Cleaning Techniques and Frequencies on the Power Output of CdTe-Type Modules in Dusty Environments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-18, May.
    12. Aritra Ghosh, 2020. "Soiling Losses: A Barrier for India’s Energy Security Dependency from Photovoltaic Power," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-22, May.
    13. Conceição, Ricardo & Lopes, Francis M. & Tavares, Ailton & Lopes, Daniel, 2020. "Soiling effect in second-surface CSP mirror and improved cleaning strategies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 103-113.

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