soiling

PV Tech Premium looks at the challenges of developing a utility-scale solar PV project on uneven terrains and hard soils.

Presenting findings on the exposure of PV panels to the harsh environment of the Arabian Desert, a team from the Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute details the multiple mitigation approaches to solar soiling.

UK-based researchers have secured funding to develop and test a scalable anti-soiling coating for solar modules that could reduce the frequency of cleaning cycles while improving power output.

With solar PV playing an increasingly important and prominent role in decarbonising nations in the Middle East, PV Tech Premium spoke to Dr. Veronica Bermudez and Dr. Ben Figgis of the Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI) to hear about the most recent research around cleaning robots, how soiling is being tackled in the region and the role of start-ups.

As solar continues to proliferate and spread into new markets, the technology is finding itself operating in tougher climates than ever before. PV Tech talks to research institute QEERI to learn more about the heightened risk of soiling in the desert, the growing prominence of abrasion and some surprising results from temperature coefficient testing.

In arid regions soiling can greatly impact the energy yield of PV systems and drive up their O&M costs. Benjamin Figgis, Amir Abdallah, Maulid Kivambe, Brahim Aissa, Kamran Ali, Cédric Broussillou and Veronica Bermudez of the Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute and Klemens Ilse of the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics review the main challenges associated with soiling of PV plants globally, and the most promising techniques for dust prevention and cleaning in dry climates, drawing on research results from six years of PV performance and soiling studies at the QEERI’s Outdoor Test Facility in Doha

The majority of Indian solar is installed in water-stressed areas and the cost of water has doubled in many areas in three years, according to a new report from consultancy firm Bridge to India.