Effects of soiling on photovoltaic (PV) modules in the Atacama Desert

Cordero, R. R.; Damiani, A.; Laroze, D.; MacDonell, S.; Jorquera, J.; Sepúlveda, E.; Feron, S.; Llanillo, P.; Labbe, F.; Carrasco, J.; Ferrer, J.; Torres, G.

doi:10.1038/s41598-018-32291-8

Title: Effects of soiling on photovoltaic (PV) modules in the Atacama Desert

Journal Article · Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Scientific Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-32291-8· OSTI ID:1624423

Cordero, R. R. ^[1]; Damiani, A. ^[2]; Laroze, D. ^[3]; MacDonell, S. ^[4]; Jorquera, J. ^[1]; Sepúlveda, E. ^[1]; Feron, S. ^[1]; Llanillo, P. ^[1]; Labbe, F. ^[5]; Carrasco, J. ^[6]; Ferrer, J. ^[1]; Torres, G. ^[7]

Universidad de Santiago de Chile (Chile)
Universidad de Santiago de Chile (Chile); Chiba Univ. (Japan). Center for Environmental Remote Sensing
Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica (Chile)
Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), La Serena (Chile)
Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso (Chile)
Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas (Chile)
Direccion Meteorologica de Chile, Santiago (Chile)

Soiling by dry deposition affects the power output of photovoltaic (PV) modules, especially under dry and arid conditions that favor natural atmospheric aerosols (wind-blown dust). In this paper, we report on measurements of the soiling effect on the energy yield of grid-connected crystalline silicon PV modules deployed in five cities across a north-south transect of approximately 1300km in the Atacama Desert ranging from latitude 18°S to latitude 30°S. Energy losses were assessed by comparing side-by-side outputs of four co-planar PV modules. Two of the PV modules of the array were kept clean as a control, while we allowed the other two to naturally accumulate soiling for 12 months (from January 2017 to January 2018). We found that the combination of high deposition rates and infrequent rainfalls led to annual energy losses that peaked at 39% in the northern coastal part of the desert. In contrast, annual energy losses of 3% or less were measured at relatively high-altitude sites and also at locations in the southern part of the desert. For comparison, soiling-induced annual energy losses of about 7% were measured in Santiago, Chile (33°S), a major city with higher rainfall frequency but where urban pollution plays a significant role.

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Research Organization:: Universidad de Santiago de Chile (Chile)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0010687

OSTI ID:: 1624423

Journal Information:: Scientific Reports, Vol. 8, Issue 1; ISSN 2045-2322

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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