Investigate the effect of dust deposition on the performance of solar PV module using LABVIEW based data logger

Abstract

With the growing demand of energy across the globe, different sources and alternatives of energy has been invented or improved but PV system has been proven to be the best energy generating source. This type of dependency on solar energy is seen due to its perpetual source of energy and negligible side effect. But the efficiency of solar cell is affected due to many internal factors (due to component used in manufacturing) as well as external/environmental factors (wind, dust, humidity, location etc.). The objective of this project is to analyse the effect of dust on the performance of PV system in Manipal University, Jaipur with the use of LABVIEW based data logger. All the important parameters (open circuit voltage, short circuit current, output power etc.) related to both the panels were noted down and compared with the use of characteristic curve. It was observed that reduction in power generation of unclean panel was 9% after 55 days.