Sensitivity of Monocrystalline Photovoltaic Cell’s Output power and Fill-factor to Dust Particles
- September 13, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: IJRIAS, Physics
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume V, Issue III, March 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Sensitivity of Monocrystalline Photovoltaic Cell’s Output power and Fill-factor to Dust Particles
Aremu, O.A.1, Oyinkanola, L.O.A.2, Odepdan, K.O.3, Adesina-Adebayo, F. O.4
(1,2,3,4)Physics Department, The Polytechnic, Ibadan. P.M.B 22, UI Post Office, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract: Accumulation of particles like dust on the surface of photovoltaic cell (PVC) normally impede photon energy form reaching the photovoltaic cells, this accumulation tends to scatters light radiation thereby reducing the power output of the cell. In this paper, the effects of atmospheric dust on the PVC surface has been investigated. Measurement of electrical output power, fill factor (FF) and efficiency of 160 W monocrystalline PVC panel has been investigated. Analog multimeter was used to measure the electrical properties of the PVC with and without dust surface. From the experimental data obtained, the output power, FF and efficiency was determined. The results revealed that, increase in dust density on PVC leads to decrease in open circuit voltage, short circuit current and output power. Also, the fill factor which is one of an important parameters for estimating the performance of PVC module was also found to decrease with increasing dust density with high correlation coefficient of -0.9573 (Strong inverse relations). The dust with 10 g/m2 reduces the fill factor by 17.5%. Furthermore, it was also noted that the output peak power of the PVC without dust and with dust on the surface are 13.40 W and 6.89 W respectively, which implies that dust particles impede the light incident on the PVC surface and reduces the output power. An empirical model for dust deposition and how it affects the photovoltaic FF was also developed to better predict the FF and energy yields and to optimize the PV module.
Key words: Dust density, fill factor, open circuit voltage, polycrystalline PVC, short circuit current
