A novel dust mitigation technology solution of a self-cleaning method for a PV module capable of harnessing reject heat using shape memory alloy

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering

Nasir Hariri¹ 

[1] Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P.O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia;

关键词: PV system;    Cleaning method;    Dust accumulation;    Dust mitigation;    Soiling;    Self-cleaning;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Most large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are installed in remote and desert areas, where large land areas and sunlight are available throughout the year. However, major environmental degradation factors exist in the form of soiling and dust accumulation, primarily when operating PV systems in desert lands. In this study, an innovative method for dust mitigation of a PV panel surface is introduced using an SMA wire actuator. It utilizes unwanted heat energy at the back surface of a PV panel and converts it into effective mechanical energy using a unique thermo-mechanical property in SMA materials. Results of the indoor test, using a sun-simulator instrument, prove the effectiveness of harnessing the reject heat at the back surface of a PV panel toward the activation of an SMA-based PV cleaning system. Experimental results demonstrated the successful reach of the SMA activation temperature of about 60 OC, for an applied solar irradiance power of 1200 W/m2, within a test duration of 40 min. This allowed generating a desirable mechanical displacement based on the harnessed rejected heat for the operation of the cleaning system. The overall performance of the fabricated system was analyzed and evaluated to highlight the achieved cleaning process and its effectiveness.

【 授权许可】

Unknown