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Airborne particulate soiling of terrestrial photovoltaic modules and cover materialsResults are presented for the first phase of a photovoltaic-module soiling study that was carried out with NASA participation to investigate the problem of the electrical performance degradation of flat-plate photovoltaic modules exposed at outdoor sites that is due to the accumulation of airborne particulates on sensitive optical surfaces. The results were obtained in both field and laboratory soiling experiments, as well as in materials field experiments using candidate encapsulants and top covers. It is concluded that: (1) the electrical performance degradation shows a significant time and site dependence, ranging from 2% to 60% power loss; (2) the rate of particulate accumulation appears to be largely material independent when natural removal processes do not dominate; (3) the effectiveness of natural removal processes, especially rain, is strongly material dependent; (4) top-cover materials of glass and plexiglass retain fewer particles than silicone rubber; and (5) high module voltages relative to ground do not appear to affect the rate of dirt accumulation on modules.
Document ID
19810062097
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Hoffman, A. R.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Maag, C. R.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Applied Mechanics Div., Pasadena CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1980
Subject Category
Energy Production And Conversion
Meeting Information
Meeting: Annual Technical on Life cycle problems and environmental technology
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Start Date: May 12, 1980
End Date: May 14, 1980
Accession Number
81A46501
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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