Elemental composition of Dust Particles and Influence of Dust Addition on Photovoltaic Module Performance

There is an excellence prospective for solar power practice in Nigeria by engaging solar photovoltaic (PV) units. Addition of dust on solar antennae and PV elements is a pronounced worry owing to different dust particles fouling on the module. The recitals of such devices are considerably suffering from dust addition. Dust samples involved during this study came from ash, cement, rice husk, brick dust, and sand. This paper therefore, reports the outcome of a research work on the elemental composition of dust particles and influence of dust addition on the maximum power, efficiency and performance ratio of a 3 W polycrystalline solar PV module. The electron dispersive x-ray analysis of the collected dust samples revealed silicon having the highest percentage weight composition while sulfur and nitrogen records 0 % in most of the sample apart from rice husk. The experimental measurements were conducted outdoor under 470, 715 and 756 W/m2 solar irradiation levels. Results indicated that dust addition on the solar PV module negatively affects the output power with cement dust proffering highest effect due to high percentage weight of carbon present in it. The research work revealed that solar PV modules polluted by dust particles for a period of time experienced a significant decrease in their efficiency and performance during operation. Accordingly, it is recommended that installed PV modules be cleaned routinely as dust particles hid on the solar panel naturally. Many areas have to be covered in future like construction sites, agricultural land and many more as solar power is growing exponentially in Nigeria.