Review on Soiling Implications and Cleaning Methodology for Photovoltaic Panels

Abstract

In power generation the main source which disports a key role is the fossil fuel. The preeminent composition of it is carbon. It requires millions of years to form and it cannot form in short duration. That is, they are non-renewable, once exhausted it cannot be retrieved back. In order to supplant the place of conventional energy sources the world looks for other resources such as renewable energy. Renewable energy sources help in meeting the energy requirement of the growing population along with depleting sources. There are numerous inexhaustible resources available. Among them PV, Wind is gaining importance and its yield helps in satisfying the needs of energy requirement of growing population and industries. Renewable energy power production relies on the substantial factor such as temperature, wind speed, intensity of light etc. These factors affect the performance of energy conversion in renewable energy sources. In Solar photovoltaic panel, soiling decreases the quantum rays reaching the panel. It affects the power yield from PV. Soiling- the accumulation of dust over the PV panels influenced by factors such as orientation, tilt angle, wind velocity, ambient temperature, site characteristics, the texture of the PV panel surface. This paper deliberates about soiling factor influencing performance of the Photovoltaic panel and the methodologies to reduce the effect of soiling.