IMPACT OF DUST ON ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT OF SOLAR PV MODULES IN NORTH-EAST, NIGERIA

Authors

  • Hauwa Talatu Abdulkarim Department of Electrical/Electronic Technology, Niger State College of Education, Minna
  • Chris Sansom Concentrated Solar Power, Centre for Energy and Power, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
  • Kumar Patchigolla School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
  • Heather Almond Concentrated Solar Power, Centre for Energy and Power, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
  • Mounia Karim Centre for Renewable Energy Systems, Centre for Energy and Power, School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom

Keywords:

Dust, Efficiency, Modules Performance, Photovoltaic, Solar

Abstract

The impact of dust on the solar PV modules deserves more attention. North-eastern Nigeria has high potential of solar irradiance but it is proned to dust accumulation. This paper therefore, investigated the impact of dust on the performance of solar Photovoltaic modules in North-Eastern Nigeria. The  investigation entailed field experiment carried out in Maiduguri to assess the performance of the module based on continuous dust deposition for 14 days during dust accumulation period. The results show that more than 50% loss in power output was recorded under 14 days of continuous deposition. The efficiency of the module reduced from 17.1% on the first day to 7.2% on the fourteenth day of the experimentation. The investigation also shows that at high humidity the PV performance drops. Solar irradiance increases the performance. The deployment of solar PV energy supply system is recommended in spite of dust accumulation challenges. To maintain adequate performance of the system, a once a week cleaning is
recommended during intense dust accumulation period.

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Published

30-05-2022

How to Cite

Abdulkarim, H. T., Sansom, C., Patchigolla, K. ., Almond, H., & Karim, M. . (2022). IMPACT OF DUST ON ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT OF SOLAR PV MODULES IN NORTH-EAST, NIGERIA. MINNA INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 1(1), 20–31. Retrieved from http://journals.coeminna.edu.ng/index.php/mijost/article/view/24

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2022): MINNA INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Section

Articles