Pattern Effects of Soil on Photovoltaic Surfaces

Journal Article · Mon Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/jphotov.2016.2567100· OSTI ID:1257794

Burton, Patrick D. ^[1]; Hendrickson, Alex ^[2]; Ulibarri, Stephen Seth ^[1]; Riley, Daniel ^[1]; Boyson, William E. ^[1]; King, Bruce H. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States)

The texture or patterning of soil on PV surfaces may influence light capture at various angles of incidence (AOI). Accumulated soil can be considered a microshading element, which changes with respect to AOI. Laboratory deposition of simulated soil was used to prepare test coupons for simultaneous AOI and soiling loss experiments. A mixed solvent deposition technique was used to consistently deposit patterned test soils onto glass slides. Transmission decreased as soil loading and AOI increased. Dense aggregates significantly decreased transmission. But, highly dispersed particles are less prone to secondary scattering, improving overall light collection. In order to test AOI losses on relevant systems, uniform simulated soil coatings were applied to split reference cells to further examine this effect. Finally, the measured optical transmission and area coverage correlated closely to the observed $$I_{{rm SC}}$$. Angular losses were significant at angles as low as 25°.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Program (EE-2A)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1257794
• Report Number(s): SAND2016-4264J; 639510
• Journal Information: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Journal Name: IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 6; ISSN 2156-3381
• Publisher: IEEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY