Impact of natural cleaning on the selection of a washing system for solar collectors

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6600638· OSTI ID:6600638

Kerstein, A.

The desired optical properties (reflectivity, transmissivity, etc.) of solar energy collector surfaces such as mirrors and photovoltaic surfaces are degraded over time by soiling. Cost-benefit evaluation of alternative methods for washing the surface or retarding the optical degradation must take into account natural cleaning processes such as precipitation and frost, which impact the scheduling as well as the benefits of washing. A probabilistic method developed to address this question is used to compare truck-mounted versus mirror-mounted washing systems for central receiver plants. The comparison of these systems is shown to be sensitive to the seasonally-varying frequency and effectiveness of natural cleaning processes. The implications of this analysis for such diverse issues as cost/benefit evaluation of soil-retardant mirror coatings and formulation of plant site selection criteria are noted.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6600638
• Report Number(s): SAND81-8636
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140702 -- Solar Thermal Power Systems-- Central Receiver
141000* -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
CLEANING
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
CSP
Concentrating Solar Power
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DUSTS
EQUIPMENT
HELIOSTATS
MIRRORS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER PLANTS
REFLECTIVITY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SITE SELECTION
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
SURFACE CLEANING
SURFACE FINISHING
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
VARIATIONS
WASHING