Determination of the effects of different pollution times on energy production efficiency in photovoltaic systems

Objective: In our study, it is aimed to examine the effect of dust formation on the panels at different pollution durations on the panel and energy production efficiency loss and consequently on the total system by using photovoltaic solar panels on a solar-powered agricultural irrigation pumping plant located in the Application Farm of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Agriculture. Material and Methods: In our study, 10 serially connected Powolt brand polycrystalline panels installed on the solar-powered agricultural irrigation pumping plant located in Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Agriculture were used as material. The study was carried out regularly every month for 12 months, waiting for 2 days (48 hours), 5 days (120 hours) and 10 days (240 hours) at 13:00 to determine the amount of dust accumulated on the panel surface. Results: In our study, the data obtained from the panel cleaned regularly every month for 12 months, waiting for 2 days (48 hours), 5 days (120 hours) and 10 days (240 hours) and the measurements made before cleaning were calculated and compared. Conclusions: More frequent cleaning provides significant efficiency gains, especially during the summer months. While two (2) days of cleaning provides maximum efficiency, five-day cleaning is a more applicable option without sacrificing efficiency. Ten-day cleaning may be insufficient in some cases, and may even provide similar results to a dirty panel.