Impact of natural cleaning on the selection of a washing system for solar collectors
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 Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 6600638
- Report Number(s):
- SAND81-8636
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
HELIOSTATS
SURFACE CLEANING
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DUSTS
MIRRORS
REFLECTIVITY
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SITE SELECTION
TOWER FOCUS POWER PLANTS
WASHING
CLEANING
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POWER PLANTS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SOLAR THERMAL POWER PLANTS
SURFACE FINISHING
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
VARIATIONS
CSP
Concentrating Solar Power
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators
140702 - Solar Thermal Power Systems- Central Receiver