Title :
Spectral Sensitivity of Simulated Photovoltaic Module Soiling for a Variety of Synthesized Soil Types
Author :
Burton, Patrick D. ; King, Bruce H.
Author_Institution :
Sandia Nat. Labs., Albuquerque, NM, USA
Abstract :
The accumulation of soil on photovoltaic (PV) modules may introduce a spectral loss due to the color profile of the accumulated material. In order to compare the spectral and total losses experienced by a cell, soil analogs were formulated to contain common mineral pigments (Fe2O3 and göthite) with previously developed “standard grime” mixtures. These mixtures simulated a wide range of desert soil colors and were applied to glass test coupons. The light transmission through the deposited film was evaluated by UV/vis/NIR spectroscopy and by placing the coupon over a test cell in a 1-sun simulator and quantum efficiency test stand. Distinct peaks in the 300-600-nm range were observed by UV/vis/NIR spectroscopy corresponding to the Fe2O3 and göthite. Approximately analogous features were noted in the QE measurement. Overall comparisons were made by integrating the response of a soiled coupon relative to a clean reference. Soils rich in red pigments (Fe2O3) caused a greater integrated response than soils rich in yellow pigment (göthite). The yellow soils caused a greater attenuation in a specific region of the spectrum (300-450 nm), which may have significant implications to specific devices, such as multijunction and CdTe technologies.
Keywords :
infrared spectra; iron compounds; minerals; soil; solar cells; ultraviolet spectra; visible spectra; 1-sun simulator; Fe3O4; UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy; color profile; glass test coupons; light transmission; quantum efficiency; red pigments; simulated photovoltaic module soiling; spectral loss; spectral sensitivity; standard grime mixtures; wavelength 300 nm to 450 nm; Glass; Photovoltaic systems; Pigments; Soil; Soil measurements; Performance evaluation; photovoltaic (PV) systems; soil coatings. standardized test methods; surface contamination;
Journal_Title :
Photovoltaics, IEEE Journal of
DOI :
10.1109/JPHOTOV.2014.2301895