Quantification of a Minimum Detectable Soiling Level to Affect Photovoltaic Devices by Natural and Simulated Soils
Abstract
Here, we report that soil accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules presents a challenge to long-term performance prediction and lifetime estimates due to the inherent difficulty in quantifying small changes over an extended period. Low mass loadings of soil are a common occurrence but remain difficult to quantify. In order to more accurately describe the specific effects of sparse soil films on PV systems, we have expanded upon an earlier technique to measure the optical losses due to an artificially applied obscurant film. A synthetic soil analog was sprayed onto glass coupons at very brief intervals with a high-volume, low-pressure pneumatic sprayer. Light transmission through the grime film was evaluated using a quantum efficiency test stand and UV/vis spectroscopy. A 0.1-g/m2 grime loading was determined to be the limit of mass measurement sensitivity, which is similar to some reports of daily soil accumulation. Predictable, linear decreases in transmission were observed for samples with a mass loading between 0.1 and 0.5 g/m2. A similar change was observed for soiled coupons from an outdoor monitoring station. Collected soil from the field coupons was analyzed to develop a compositional analog for indoor studies. Lastly, natural and synthetic soils produced similar decreases in transmission.
- Authors:
-
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1496992
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-2015-3570J
Journal ID: ISSN 2156-3381; 672042
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 5; Journal Issue: 4; Journal ID: ISSN 2156-3381
- Publisher:
- IEEE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 14 SOLAR ENERGY; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Performance loss; photovoltaic (PV) cells; soiling; standardized test methods; surface contamination
Citation Formats
Burton, Patrick D., Boyle, Liza, Griego, James J. M., and King, Bruce H. Quantification of a Minimum Detectable Soiling Level to Affect Photovoltaic Devices by Natural and Simulated Soils. United States: N. p., 2015.
Web. doi:10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2432459.
Burton, Patrick D., Boyle, Liza, Griego, James J. M., & King, Bruce H. Quantification of a Minimum Detectable Soiling Level to Affect Photovoltaic Devices by Natural and Simulated Soils. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2432459
Burton, Patrick D., Boyle, Liza, Griego, James J. M., and King, Bruce H. Fri .
"Quantification of a Minimum Detectable Soiling Level to Affect Photovoltaic Devices by Natural and Simulated Soils". United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2432459. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1496992.
@article{osti_1496992,
title = {Quantification of a Minimum Detectable Soiling Level to Affect Photovoltaic Devices by Natural and Simulated Soils},
author = {Burton, Patrick D. and Boyle, Liza and Griego, James J. M. and King, Bruce H.},
abstractNote = {Here, we report that soil accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) modules presents a challenge to long-term performance prediction and lifetime estimates due to the inherent difficulty in quantifying small changes over an extended period. Low mass loadings of soil are a common occurrence but remain difficult to quantify. In order to more accurately describe the specific effects of sparse soil films on PV systems, we have expanded upon an earlier technique to measure the optical losses due to an artificially applied obscurant film. A synthetic soil analog was sprayed onto glass coupons at very brief intervals with a high-volume, low-pressure pneumatic sprayer. Light transmission through the grime film was evaluated using a quantum efficiency test stand and UV/vis spectroscopy. A 0.1-g/m2 grime loading was determined to be the limit of mass measurement sensitivity, which is similar to some reports of daily soil accumulation. Predictable, linear decreases in transmission were observed for samples with a mass loading between 0.1 and 0.5 g/m2. A similar change was observed for soiled coupons from an outdoor monitoring station. Collected soil from the field coupons was analyzed to develop a compositional analog for indoor studies. Lastly, natural and synthetic soils produced similar decreases in transmission.},
doi = {10.1109/JPHOTOV.2015.2432459},
journal = {IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics},
number = 4,
volume = 5,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jun 05 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Fri Jun 05 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}
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Figures / Tables:
Fig. 1: Images of soiled coupons were collected (a) and analyzed in ImageJ (b) to find the total area of the glass.
Works referencing / citing this record:
Modelling photovoltaic soiling losses through optical characterization
journal, January 2020
- Smestad, Greg P.; Germer, Thomas A.; Alrashidi, Hameed
- Scientific Reports, Vol. 10, Issue 1