PV Coatings and Particle Adhesion Forces

摘要: Anti-soiling coatings for PV modules aim to reduce the adhesion of dust to the modules and enhance their water-shedding ability. Such coatings have been shown to reduce module soiling in long-term outdoor trials, however the results vary greatly between sites. There are several mechanisms by which particles can adhere to surfaces, and it is thought that between different environments the relative strengths of the mechanisms may vary. In this report we review fundamental particle adhesion mechanisms, and use them to help interpret the results of field testing hydrophilic and hydrophobic coatings.Soiling of photovoltaic modules can severely reduce their performance, especially in desert climates. A comprehensive review of worldwide soiling studies was reported by Sarver et al.(2013)[1] showing dramatic soiling losses in the Middle East. In Qatar we found that soiling causes PV daily energy yield to decrease by around 15% per month on average, and after 234 days without rain or cleaning the soiling loss reached 68%[2].