LAUSR

Abstract Solar photovoltaics (PV) are becoming one of the main sources of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions of electricity supply. It is well recognised that dust accumulation and high temperatures result in a dramatic reduction in the performance of PV panels. To improve the efficiency of solar PV panels, a compressed air-based regulation method which can simultaneously clean and cool PV panels is studied and tested. A modelling study of the dust adhesion and detachment mechanism is conducted and the temperature variation caused by the air blowing process is analysed. Dynamic models of the compressed air release are derived which can be used to guide the design of the regulation system for increasing PV power output. A test system is developed for verifying various design and system parameters. The test results are used to validate the suitability of the modelling and illustrate how the inefficiency arising from soiling and high temperatures can be mitigated with the regulated compressed airflow. PV arrays serving in an arid region are adopted for this study and the increased energy yield arising from the cleaning and cooling effects is evaluated via the experimental test. The relationship between the airflow duration, various sizes of particles cleaning from the surface and power generation efficiency improvement is investigated to maximise the net power output increase from the PV panel. The results of this study can contribute to improving PV efficiency and help to realise decarbonisation in energy industry.