Seasonal variation in photovoltaic generation efficiency due to bioaerosol particle accumulation

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) panels have been developed as a carbon-free, environmentally friendly method of generating energy. However, because PV panels are placed outdoors, the surrounding environment strongly affects the power generation efficiency. In this study, the soiling effect of pollen accumulation on PV panels on the power generation efficiency was calculated. For accuracy, we used the measured transmittance and the reflectance of the pollen grains and quartz panel in the calculation. In addition, airborne Cryptomeria japonica pollen grain concentrations measured at 120 sites across the country were used to estimate the effect of the accumulated pollen grains on PV panels. The seasonal changes in the PV power generation efficiency due to the accumulated C. japonica pollen alone were estimated as about 5 % at most. However, the power generation efficiency changed logarithmically with the pollen size. Therefore, the dominant pollen type is expected to have a major effect on the seasonal change in the power generation efficiency of PV panels.