Angle of incidence effects on soiled PV modules

J. John, V. Rajasekar, S. Boppana, S. Tatapudi, G. Tamizhmani

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    10 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The transmission level of the incident light on the photovoltaic (PV) modules depends on the angle of incidence (AOI) and air/superstrate interface. The AOI dependence for the air/glass interface has already been well established. When the glass superstrate is covered by a soil/dust layer, the air/glass interface is altered and thereby changes the AOI dependence to air/soil/glass interface. In this work, PV modules retrieved from the field that had different dust densities have been measured for the dependence of the AOI curves on the dust gravimetric densities. It was determined that the AOI curve is inversely related to the soil density. The critical AOI for the air/glass interface is about 57° and it shifts dramatically as the soil gravimetric density (g/m2) increases. The measured AOI curves were then fitted and validated with the analytical/empirical models reported in the literature.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Title of host publicationReliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems VII
    EditorsRebecca Jones-Albertus, Neelkanth G. Dhere, John H. Wohlgemuth
    PublisherSPIE
    ISBN (Electronic)9781628412062
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Jan 1 2014
    EventReliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems VII - San Diego, United States
    Duration: Aug 20 2014Aug 21 2014

    Publication series

    NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
    Volume9179
    ISSN (Print)0277-786X
    ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

    Other

    OtherReliability of Photovoltaic Cells, Modules, Components, and Systems VII
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CitySan Diego
    Period8/20/148/21/14

    Keywords

    • Angle of incidence
    • critical angle
    • dusting
    • soiled PV modules
    • soiling
    • transmittance

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
    • Condensed Matter Physics
    • Computer Science Applications
    • Applied Mathematics
    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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