Simplified method for evaluating the effects of dust and aging on photovoltaic panels

As well known, maximizing the efficiency of photovoltaic plants is key to increase their competitiveness. Aging and presence of dust on the panel surface strongly reduces the energy production, which results in significant economic loss. In this paper a simplified method for evaluating the impact of both aging and dust deposition will be presented. The proposed approach allows distinguishing the losses of energy production due to aging of the photovoltaic panels from the losses due to the presence of dust on the surface. The method can be implemented using information provided by a public weather station or using a reference panel. In this way a suitable and cost effective maintenance strategy can be implemented. In the paper the description of the method and its validation are reported. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.