scholarly journals Is the Air Too Polluted for Outdoor Activities? Check by Using Your Photovoltaic System as an Air-Quality Monitoring Device

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (19) ◽  
pp. 6342
Author(s):  
Simone Lolli
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Electric Power ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Photovoltaic Effect ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Atmospheric Column

Over the past few decades, the concentrating photovoltaic systems, a source of clean and renewable energy, often fully integrated into the roof structure, have been commonly installed on private houses and public buildings. The purpose of those panels is to transform the incoming solar radiation into electricity thanks to the photovoltaic effect. The produced electric power is affected, in the first instance, by the solar panel efficiency and its technical characteristics, but it is also strictly dependent on site elevation, the meteorological conditions and on the presence of the atmospheric constituents, i.e., clouds, hydrometeors, gas molecules and sub-micron-sized particles suspended in the atmosphere that can scatter and absorb the incoming shortwave solar radiation. The Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) is an adimensional wavelength-dependent atmospheric column variable that accounts for aerosol concentration. AOD can be used as a proxy to evaluate the concentration of surface particulate matter and atmospheric column turbidity, which in turn affects the solar panel energy production. In this manuscript, a new technique is developed to retrieve the AOD at 550 nm through an iterative process: the atmospheric optical depth, incremented in steps of 0.01, is used as input together with the direct and diffuse radiation fluxes computed by Fu–Liou–Gu Radiative Transfer Model, to forecast the produced electric energy by a photovoltaic panel through a simple model. The process will stop at that AOD value (at 550 nm), for which the forecast electric power will match the real produced electric power by the photovoltaic panel within a previously defined threshold. This proof of concept is the first step of a wider project that aims to develop a user-friendly smartphone application where photovoltaic panel owners, once downloaded it on a voluntary basis, can turn their photovoltaic system into a sunphotometer to continuously retrieve the AOD, and more importantly, to monitor the air quality and detect strong air pollution episodes that pose a threat for population health.

scholarly journals The Thermoelectric Solar Panels

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Ahiska ◽  
L. Nykyruy ◽  
G. Omer ◽  
G. Mateik
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Internal Resistance ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Maximum Power ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Load Characteristics ◽  
Panel Surface

In this study, load characteristics of thermoelectric and photovoltaic solar panels areinvestigated and compared with each other with experiments. Thermoelectric solar panels convertsthe heat generated by sun directly to electricity; while, photovoltaic solar pales converts photonicenergy from sun to electricity. In both types, maximum power can be obtained when the loadresistance is equal to internal resistance. According to experimental results, power generated fromunit surface with thermoelectric panel is 30 times greater than the power generated by photovoltaicpanel. From a panel surface of 1 m2, thermoelectric solar panel has generated 4 kW electric power,while from the same surface, photovoltaic panel has generated 132 W only.

scholarly journals Optimum Tilt Angle and Orientation of Photovoltaic Thermal System for Application in Greater Toronto Area, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailu ◽  
Fung
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Tilt Angle ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Total Solar Radiation ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Anisotropic Models ◽  
Greater Toronto Area ◽  
Steady State Heat Transfer

We present a study conducted to obtain optimum tilt angle and orientation of a solar panel for the collection of maximum solar irradiation. The optimum tilt angle and orientation were determined using isotropic and anisotropic diffuse sky radiation models (isotropic and anisotropic models). The four isotropic models giving varying optimum tilt angles in the range of 37 to 44°. On the other hand, results of the four anisotropic models were more consistent, with optimum tilt angles ranging between 46–47°. Both types of models indicated that the collector tilt should be changed four times a year to receive more solar radiation. The results also indicate that the solar panel should be installed with orientation west or east of due south with a flatter tilt angle. A 15° change in orientation west or east of due south results in less than 1% reduction of the total solar radiation received. For a given optimum tilt angle, the effect of photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) orientation west or east of due south on the outlet temperature was determined using a one-dimensional steady state heat transfer model. It was found that there is less than 1.5% decrease in outlet temperature for a PV/T panel oriented up to 15° east or west of due south from March to December. This result indicates that existing roofs with orientations angles up to 15° east or west of due south can be retrofitted with a PV/T system without changing the roof shape.

scholarly journals On the Computation of Apparent Direct Solar Radiation

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 2761-2780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petri Räisänen ◽  
Anders V. Lindfors
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Scattered Radiation ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Direct Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Scaling Factors ◽  
Ice Clouds

Abstract Near-forward-scattered radiation coming from the vicinity of the sun’s direction impacts the interpretation of measurements of direct solar radiation by pyrheliometers and sun photometers, and it is also relevant for concentrating solar technology applications. Here, a Monte Carlo radiative transfer model is employed to study the apparent direct solar transmittance t(α), that is, the transmittance measured by an instrument that receives the radiation within a half-field-of-view (half-FOV) angle α from the center of the solar disk, for various ice cloud, water cloud, and aerosol cases. The contribution of scattered radiation to t(α) increases with increasing particle size, and it also depends strongly on ice crystal morphology. The Monte Carlo calculations are compared with a simple approach, in which t(α) is estimated through Beer’s law, using a scaled optical depth that excludes the part of the phase function corresponding to scattering angles smaller than α. Overall, this optical depth scaling approach works very well, although with some degradation of the performance for ice clouds for very small half-FOV angles (α < 0.5°–1°), and in optically thick cases. The errors can be reduced by fine-tuning the optical depth scaling factors based on the Monte Carlo results. Parameterizations are provided for computing the optical depth scaling factors for water clouds, ice clouds, aerosols, and for completeness, Rayleigh scattering to allow for a simple calculation of t(α). It is also shown that the optical depth scaling used in delta-two-stream approximations is inappropriate for simulating the direct solar radiation received by pyrheliometers.

Controlling Solar Photovoltaic Cells Utilizing Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Technology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanie O. Baayoun ◽  
Zheng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Crystal ◽  
Photovoltaic Cells ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Solar Photovoltaic ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal ◽  
Power Regulation ◽  
Polymer Dispersed ◽  
Liquid Crystal Technology

Solar charge controllers are currently a necessary piece of equipment when utilizing the energy from a photovoltaic system for charging purposes. However, a standard solar charge controller available today includes some drawbacks that may be crucial for specific applications. An alternate method of regulating energy from a photovoltaic panel can be accomplished by utilizing polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) technology. Combining a solar panel with a proper PDLC material allows the input into the photovoltaic panel to be controlled. This method of power regulation can lead to increased efficiency, reduced cost, reduced weight, and increased safety when compared to a standard solar charge controller.

scholarly journals A new gas absorption optical depth parameterisation for RTTOV version 13

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 2899-2915
Author(s):  
James Hocking ◽  
Jérôme Vidot ◽  
Pascal Brunel ◽  
Pascale Roquet ◽  
Bruna Silveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Gas Absorption ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Microwave Radiances

Abstract. This paper describes a new gas optical depth parameterisation implemented in the most recent release, version 13, of the radiative transfer model RTTOV (Radiative Transfer for TOVS). RTTOV is a fast, one-dimensional radiative transfer model for simulating top-of-atmosphere visible, infrared, and microwave radiances observed by downward-viewing space-borne passive sensors. A key component of the model is the fast parameterisation of absorption by the various gases in the atmosphere. The existing parameterisation in RTTOV has been extended over many years to allow for additional variable gases in RTTOV simulations and to account for solar radiation and better support geostationary sensors by extending the validity to higher zenith angles. However, there are limitations inherent in the current approach which make it difficult to develop it further, for example by adding new variable gases. We describe a new parameterisation that can be applied across the whole spectrum, that allows for a wide range of zenith angles in support of solar radiation and geostationary sensors, and for which it will be easier to add new variable gases in support of user requirements. Comparisons against line-by-line radiative transfer simulations and against observations in the ECMWF operational system yield promising results, suggesting that the new parameterisation generally compares well with the old one in terms of accuracy. Further validation is planned, including testing in operational numerical weather prediction data assimilation systems.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Soiling Effect on Solar-Panel Power Efficiency in the Colombian Caribbean Region

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan David Diazgranados-Garzón ◽  
Juan Camilo Romero-Bravo ◽  
Loraine Isabel Navarro-Estrada ◽  
Rafael De Jesús Castillo-Sierra ◽  
Jose Daniel Soto-Ortiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Electric Power ◽  
Power Efficiency ◽  
Particulate Material ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Particle Accumulation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Times ◽  
The Impact

This paper summarizes the impact of particulate material on solar-panel performance for systems located in the Colombian Caribbean Region. First, the dirt/particles are identified and classified; and then, their effect in the reduction of solar panel efficiency has been estimated at most of 6% during the times of the day with the maximum solar radiation. It has been found that the impact decreases exponentially for other hours during the day, which implies that dirt effect becomes negligible on the electric power available. The study reveals that the effect of dirt/particles is significant from a clean solar panel to one with light accumulation, but rapidly diminishes as accumulation changes from light to heavy. Thus, it is suggested that once some dirt accumulates on the panel, a cleaning procedure can wait until the particle accumulation is heavy without sacrificing efficiency excessively. The results of the study become a tool to estimate the trade-offs between power efficiency of photovoltaic systems and financial viability of those projects. Hence, inverters can be chosen such that they can limit the amount of electric power while minimizing the stochastic nature of solar radiation and the dirt/particle effect. The analysis presented starts through a complete Multivariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) considering three fundamental factors: dirt/particles, solar radiation and day.

scholarly journals A floating photovoltaic system for fishery aeration

2021 ◽  
Vol 926 (1) ◽  
pp. 012014
Author(s):  
E G Pratama ◽  
W Sunanda ◽  
R F Gusa
Keyword(s):  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Fish Ponds ◽  
Oxygen Level ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Electricity Grid ◽  
Temperature Output

Abstract Photovoltaic panel as a producer of renewable energy is increasingly being utilized. The electrical energy produced by photovoltaic panel can be used for aeration in fish ponds located quite isolated and far from the main electricity grid. Aeration is important for fishery because it affects the dissolved oxygen level in the water. The system uses two units of 50 Wp floating solar panels and four units of DC aerator of 12 Volt/0.28 A. The measurement of solar irradiance, solar panel temperature, output voltage and current was conducted to monitor floating solar panel performance. Dissolved oxygen level measured in the water without aeration was 3 - 3.9 mg/L while after using floating photovoltaic panels to supply the electrical energy for aerators, dissolved oxygen level in the water was increased to 4.1 - 4.8 mg/L.

scholarly journals A new gas absorption optical depth parameterisation for RTTOV v13

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Hocking ◽  
Jérôme Vidot ◽  
Pascal Brunel ◽  
Pascale Roquet ◽  
Bruna Silveira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Optical Depth ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Gas Absorption ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Microwave Radiances

Abstract. This paper describes a new gas optical depth parameterisation implemented in the most recent release, version 13, of the radiative transfer model RTTOV (Radiative Transfer for TOVS). RTTOV is a fast, one-dimensional radiative transfer model for simulating top-of-atmosphere visible, infrared and microwave radiances observed by downward-viewing space-borne passive sensors. A key component of the model is the fast parameterisation of absorption by the various gases in the atmosphere. The existing parameterisation in RTTOV has been extended over many years to allow for additional variable gases in RTTOV simulations and to account for solar radiation and better support geostationary sensors by extending the validity to higher zenith angles. However, there are limitations inherent in the current approach which make it difficult to develop it further, for example by adding new variable gases. We describe a new parameterisation that can be applied across the whole spectrum, allows for a wide range of zenith angles in support of solar radiation and geostationary sensors, and for which it will be easier to add new variable gases in support of user requirements. Comparisons against line-by-line radiative transfer simulations, and against observations in the ECMWF operational system yield promising results, suggesting that the new parameterisation generally compares well with the old one in terms of accuracy. Further validation is planned, including testing in operational numerical weather prediction data assimilation systems.

scholarly journals Bi-fluid cooling effect on electrical characteristics of flexible photovoltaic panel

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-56
Author(s):  
Nurul Shahirah Rukman ◽  
Ahmad Fudholi ◽  
Putri Adia Utari ◽  
Cheku Nurul Aisyah ◽  
Andri Joko Purwanto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Electrical Characteristics ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Current Voltage ◽  
Cooling Mechanism ◽  
Fluid Cooling ◽  
Water Mass Flow Rate

A photovoltaic (PV) system integrated with a bi-fluid cooling mechanism, which is known as photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system, was investigated. The electrical characteristics of flexible solar panel were evaluated for PV and PV with bi-fluid (air and water) cooling system. The integration of monocrystalline flexible solar panel into both systems was tested under a fixed solar radiation of 800 W/m2. A total of 0.04–0.10 kg/s of air flow was utilised in PV with cooling system with a fixed water mass flow rate of 0.025 kg/s. The efficiencies of flexible panel for PV and PV with cooling system were explored. For PV with bi-fluid flow, the highest obtained efficiency of module was 15.95% when 0.08 kg/s of air and 0.025 kg/s of water were allowed to flow through the cooling system. Compared with PV without cooling mechanism, the highest efficiency of module was 13.35% under same solar radiation. Current–voltage and power graphs were also plotted to present the electrical characteristics (current, voltage and power) generated by both systems.

Thermography Diagnostics of Photovoltaic Panels

2014 ◽  
Vol 1001 ◽  
pp. 388-392
Author(s):  
Jozef Fiala ◽  
Marcel Kuracina ◽  
Lenka Blinová ◽  
Maroš Soldán
Keyword(s):  
Photovoltaic Effect ◽  
Infrared Camera ◽  
Solar Panel ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
Photovoltaic Panel ◽  
Photovoltaic Panels ◽  
Solar Systems ◽  
Power Stations ◽  
Temperature Distributions ◽  
Thermal Imagers

The technologies based on photovoltaic effect, which achieve their fulfilment from small applications to some big power stations that can be in size of few square kilometers, still come to the fore more. The growth of the interest and installations of these technologies brought also amount of technical, legislative or financial problems and also in issues of safety of its operation, of its service, of intervention of rescue squad and last but not least of recycling. Solar thermography is the use of an infrared camera to inspect photovoltaic solar systems for problems that can cause; damage to the cells, loss of efficiency, and fire hazards. In this work were observed temperature distributions for solar panel using digitized thermal imagers and the detected problems with the overheated connections at the junction box from the front of the panel and problems with a defective cell. Also were detected problems of photovoltaic panel with the overheated place caused by dirt on the panel.

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