Effect of Dust Accumulation on the Performances of Solar Panels in Static and Tracking Systems in Bauchi Metropolis of Nigeria

Abstract

The research aimed at comparing the effect of dust accumulation on the performances of solar PV modules in a static position and on a tracking system within the Bauchi metropolis of Nigeria, during the harmattan season – November to December. Dust deposition on the surface of the PV panels reduces the conversion efficiency by absorbing and preventing the Solar radiation from reaching the cells of the panel. This necessitated the need to develop a reliable tool to relate energy production from solar cells with respect to dust deposition on both static and solar tracking PV modules. A test bed was designed for the field measurement of output current, voltage, temperature and dust weight data from the two PV modules.” Centsys” polycrystalline solar panels () were used for the research. A statistical technique involving regression analysis in SPSS software was used to correlate the various measured data from the test bed to predict the effect of dust accumulation on the surface of each module, which will enable solar power installers to take necessary measures for improving the PV module’s conversion efficiency during the period under review. The research result showed that the effect of dust on the tracking solar PV module is less significant compared to the static panel, giving the former a better conversion efficiency.