• DocumentCode
    3345416
  • Title

    Novel PV module cleaning system using ambient moisture and self-cleaning coating

  • Author

    John, Jim Joseph ; Raval, Mehul C. ; Kottantharayil, Anil ; Solanki, Chetan Singh

  • Author_Institution
    Nat. Center for Photovoltaic Res. & Educ., Indian Inst. of Technol. Bombay, Mumbai, India
  • fYear
    2013
  • fDate
    16-21 June 2013
  • Firstpage
    1481
  • Lastpage
    1483
  • Abstract
    Soiling is a major concern for PV modules installed in field with power losses ranging from 15% to 65%. In current work, we propose an improved design for a PV module cleaning system based on absorption of ambient moisture and making the module glass super-hydrophilic by TiO2 coating. Initial studies indicate uniform and continuous fibers of diameter of approximately 250nm deposited throughout the sample. A complete prototype design with an automated water delivery system is implemented.
  • Keywords
    absorption; cleaning; coatings; hydrophilicity; moisture; solar cells; titanium compounds; PV module cleaning system; TiO2; ambient moisture; ambient moisture absorption; automated water delivery system; continuous fibers; module glass super-hydrophilic; power losses; self-cleaning coating; soiling; uniform fibers; Cleaning; Coatings; Glass; Moisture; Prototypes; Surface treatment; Automation; Energy Conversion; Module cleaning; Photovoltaic Systems; Solar Energy; Solar Heating;
  • fLanguage
    English
  • Publisher
    ieee
  • Conference_Titel
    Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), 2013 IEEE 39th
  • Conference_Location
    Tampa, FL
  • Type

    conf

  • DOI
    10.1109/PVSC.2013.6744425
  • Filename
    6744425