Solar Technology Soiling R&D: History, Progress, Status, and Trends
Abstract
Throughout the current world nearing TW annual installations, soiling is a fundamental issue limiting solar technology performance & related financial losses. This paper documents & reviews the some 8-decade history of the research invested into the science & solutions of soiling of solar components, highlighting the motivation & milestones and the associated progress. This includes the technological & political influences driving the investments. Reflecting this 80-year progression, the markets, technologies, R&D investments, and politics are mirrored by the volume of journal & conference publications. The trends from observation of the effects on performance to mitigation; from submicron determinations of particle chemistry and adhesion to the losses on multi- MW systems; and the progress from ‘Edisonian’ trial-and-error approaches tothe use of AI and ML for monitoring & designing potential solutions. This paper highlights key current/future directions and envisions some“Holy Grail” schemes that might lead to the ultimate solutions.
Keywords
PV, CSP, solar, soiling, performance, review.