Analysis of the Local Factors that Influence the Cementation of Soil and Effects on PV Generation at the Plataforma Solar Del Desierto De Atacama, Chile
Abstract
Chile’s Atacama Desert is an attractive area for the development of photovoltaic projects due to the abundant sunlight available for conversion into solar energy. The desert’s environment (high temperature, high UV radiation, dust concentration in the atmosphere…), however, adversely affects the optimal performance of PV systems. This study focuses on the relationship between dust and local atmospheric variables to evaluate soiling impacts. The study is conducted at the Plataforma Solar del Desierto de Atacama (PSDA). Using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), it is found that hygroscopic particles (gypsum) interact with humidity and generate a type of glue between insoluble substances and glass. This effect intensifies due to prolonged exposure times to local environmental conditions (wind speed, temperature, radiation and humidity) reaching an average deposition density of 0.7 mg cm-2 after four weeks of exposure. The effects are observed through the loss of transmission, reaching ≈3%.