An experimental study on effect of dust on power loss in solar photovoltaic module

Abstract

In the present study, a detailed investigation on air dust particles effect on photovoltaic (PV) model performance has been carried out. The scanning electron microscope analysis of the collected dust samples was being carried out, and the obtained images were being analyzed in order to observe the character and topography of the dust sample particles. The data for dust samples of different weights with change in power loss in a PV module at three solar irradiations levels of 650, 750 and 850 W/m2 have been collected. In present study, the effect of environmental dust particles on power loss in PV module has been evaluated by measuring the electrical performance index such as voltage, current and power. The minimum power value of 3.88 W has been observed during the accumulation of rice husk on PV module.