Experimental investigation of nonuniform PV soiling

Photovoltaic (PV) module soiling, i.e., the accumulation of dust on PV module surfaces, poses several challenges to PV system performance. Among these challenges, the nonuniform deposition of soiling across the module surface has received scarce attention. Soiling is directly associated with an overall performance loss, but can also potentially give rise to localised hotspots that can lead to long-term PV module failure. Therefore, addressing the issues arising from this nonuniformity is not only important for optimising energy production, but also for enhancing system reliability, and ensuring the long-term operation of relevant power generation systems. In this study, the impact of nonuniform soiling on PV performance is investigated experimentally by examining soil deposition on the upper surfaces of low-iron glass samples. Samples positioned at four different tilt angles were collected on a monthly basis over a one-year study period. Since the horizontal samples were found to represent the worst-case conditions, the most soiled sample at horizontal tilt was divided into four zones, each housing a single monocrystalline solar cell and examined further. The findings reveal that the soiled sample experiences an average transmittance deterioration of 13% relative to a clean sample, and a maximum (relative) spatial variation of 4% between the four zones. These optical losses affect the amount of sunlight received by the cells, resulting in a power deterioration of ∼6–7% per 5% drop in transmittance. The soiled sample experienced an average temperature rise of 2 °C, and an average power output (and efficiency) reduction of 30% relative to the clean sample, and a maximum (relative) spatial variation of 7% between the zones. The 30% average power loss measured in this nonuniform soiling case is more than double that which would be expected theoretically for a transmittance loss of 13% but from uniform soiling, so these results highlight the importance of addressing PV soiling for optimal PV performance, and of accounting for spatial soiling nonuniformity.