Effect of Soiling on the Performance of Photovoltaic Modules in Bogotá

Abstract

Context: This study analyzes the soiling effect on the energy efficiency of two photovoltaic generation system configurations: one fixed and one mobile (with solar tracking). Method: A support system and output power measurement adapted for each configuration was implemented. Data was collected during two months in Bogotá. This analysis considered the average power obtained in two 50 W polycrystalline photovoltaic modules integrating each configuration. A test module was assigned for applying a cleaning protocol in each configuration, and the remaining module was assigned as a control module. This result was used in a pre-feasibility analysis for energy self-sufficiency of an average, middle-income household. Results: A regular cleaning protocol increases the energy productivity of each analyzed photovoltaic system in 3,87 % and 7,23 %, according to its configuration. Additionally, at the economic level, this increase in productivity represents the year-prior amortization of a photovoltaic system for energy selfsufficiency, regardless of the type of configuration used. Conclusions: A positive impact on the energy efficiency of the two photovoltaic configurations analyzed was found under a regular cleaning protocol in Bogotá. This benefit increases the profitability that could be obtained from investing a system for the energy self-sufficiency of an average family.