Soiling, cleaning, and abrasion: The results of the 5-year photovoltaic glass coating field study
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Bomber, Joanna↗
Engineering topics
Simpson, Lin
Publications and source records attributed to Simpson, Lin.
"Soiling, Cleaning, and Abrasion: The Results of the Five-Year Photovoltaic Glass Coating Field Study" [Slides]
External contamination ("soiling") of the incident surface is a major limiting factor for solar technologies. A 5-year field glass coupon study was conducted to better understand external contamination and its effects; compare cleaning methods and the use of preventative coatings; and explore the abrasion resulting from cleaning to advise on accelerated abrasion testing. Test sites included the cities of Dubai (UAE), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Mesa (AZ), Mumbai (India), and Sacramento (CA). Through the 5-year cumulative study, dry brush, water spray, and wet sponge and squeegee cleaning methods were compared to no cleaning. Optical microscopy was used to obtain images, including representative color images, grayscale images for object analysis, and oblique images for coating integrity assessment. A thresholding protocol was developed to analyze and distinguish specimens using the ImageJ software. Optical performance was quantified using a spectrophotometer, including comprehensive optical characterization (transmittance, reflectance, and absorptance in addition to forward- and back-scattering). Atomic force microscopy was used to verify the abrasion damage morphology, including the width and depth of surface scratches. Analysis of the results included correlation of optical performance and particle area coverage, rank order (by coating or location), and the acceleration factor for abrasion damage. The efficacy of external cleaning was more readily distinguished from the effectiveness of antisoiling coatings. The acceleration factor for dry brush cleaning of a porous silica coating was found to be on the order of unity.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Conduct Performance Validation of the Electrodynamic Shield (EDS) Induced Cleaning Under Realistic Environmental Soiling Conditions: CRADA Number CRD-21-17861 (Cooperative Research and Development Final Report)
NREL will work with the Participant to perform accelerated long-term durability and other standard durability tests for prototypes to help demonstrate the reliability of the technology for PV applications. NREL will test commercially relevant-sized prototypes under realistic environmental soiling conditions to correlate dust removal efficacy for improving the PV output under standard solar conditions. Measurements will include voltage-current characterization in solar simulators before and after dust cleaning.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Analysis of Photovoltaic Energy: CRADA Number CRD-21-17862 (Cooperative Research and Development Final Report)
For this project, NREL will work with the Participant to model phase change material performance, model photovoltaic thermodynamics performance, and predict photovoltaic module durability based on environmental conditions to help develop optimized photovoltaic roofing designs. This project will develop thermodynamic models of integrated photovoltaic roofing with phase change materials. These models will be used to optimize the materials and design selections based on reducing photovoltaic operating temperatures while balancing cost effective integration of phase change materials.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Demonstration and Evaluation of Lightweight High Performance Secondary Windows
Eight secondary windows (single-pane and double-pane) were installed at Building 53 of the Denver Federal Center in Colorado as part of a demonstration project to assess their thermal performance, life cycle costs, and deployment potential for use in conjunction with existing, older single-pane windows. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory performed several different evaluations to assess the viability of the secondary windows for GSA applications. Some assessments were performed with models, while others required onsite evaluations including time series measurements.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
Demonstration and Evaluation of Lightweight High Performance Quad-Pane Windows
Ten high-performance quad-pane windows (five quad-pane with suspended film and five quad-pane with thin glass) were installed at Building 41 of the Denver Federal Center in Colorado as part of a demonstration project to assess their thermal performance, life cycle costs, and deployment potential for replacing older single-pane windows. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory performed several different evaluations to assess the viability of the quad-pane windows for GSA applications. Some of these assessments were performed with models, while others required onsite evaluations including time series measurements.
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
PV Fleet Performance Data Initiative Program and Methodology
The US Department of Energy’s PV Fleet Performance Data Initiative has been launched in order to collect and evaluate production data across multiple PV fleet partners. Performance statistics are anonymized, aggregated and shared to represent a snapshot of the US commercial and utility-scale fleet. Production data have been collected from over 1500 systems representing more than 1.3 GWdc capacity. Preliminary analysis indicates median performance loss rates are in line with previous publications of system degradation, on the order of –0.6%/yr to –0.9%/yr (preliminary numbers subject to change). These values are higher than module-only degradation rates which are often used in pro-forma estimates of project performance and economics, potentially exposing owner/operators to increased risk if systems under-perform over time.
41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗