TITLE:
Enhancing the Performance of Photovoltaic Panel by Proper Washing Periods in Kuwait
AUTHORS:
Hussain Bunyan, Wesam Ali, Mahmud Alnaser
KEYWORDS:
PV Panel, Impurity Deposition, Efficiency, Effect of Dust, Deficiency, Output Power
JOURNAL NAME:
Smart Grid and Renewable Energy,
Vol.7 No.6,
June
15,
2016
ABSTRACT: Dust and impurity accumulation has a significant effect on the efficiency and performance of PV panel output power. It influences the transmittance of solar radiation from the PV panels surface. Scheduling weekly or monthly cleaning periods requires complete knowledge of area’s weather and environmental condition. In this study, an experimental-based investigation is conducted aiming for a proper scheduling cleaning periods by comparing the output power efficiency of two identical PV panels, the first being cleaned daily and the other cleaned monthly. Both are exposed to unstable weather condition with Sarayat season in April and May, winter and summer Shamal of Kuwait for one year. The results indicated a significant degradation of PV panel output power in April, May, October and December. A need for frequent weekly water washing is a necessity to maintain the power efficiency loss of 15.07%, 13.74%, 10.685% and 8.742% respectively, and frequent monthly water washing for the remaining months of the year.