Fundamental Studies of Adhesion of Dust to PV Module Surfaces: Chemical and Physical Relationships at the Microscale

摘要: Photovoltaic (PV) module soiling is a growing area of concern for performance and reliability. This paper provides evaluations the fundamental interactions dust/soiling particles with several PV surfaces. The purpose to investigate basic mechanisms involving chemistry, morphology, resulting particle adhesion first photon-incident surface. evaluation mapping chemistry composition single dust collected from operating surfaces are presented. correlated direct measurements adhesive force individual grains field-operating collectors on identical glass reported, including correlations specific compositions. Special microscale atomic microscopy techniques adapted determine between Results presented samples under dry moisture-exposed conditions, confirming effects cementation having soluble mineral and/or organic concentrations. Additionally, hydrocarbon fuels enhanced bonding determined urban highly trafficked regions. Comparisons dust-mitigating superhydrophobic superhydrophilic coatings Potential limitations this proximal probe technique discussed in terms results initial proof-of-concept experiments.