Researchers in Morocco have carefully configured and tested a new desert solar panel optimized for harsh desert climates. The new design delivered a 5.8% improvement in performance ratio, a 1.95% increase in efficiency and reduced temperature sensitivity by 0.85% compared to standard modules.
Researchers led by scientists at Mohammed First University in Morocco have produced prototype modules optimized for desert climates. Their so-called Desert Module delivered a 5.8% improvement in performance ratio, a 1.95% increase in efficiency and reduced temperature sensitivity by 0.85% compared to standard modules.
“The most challenging aspect of this research is selecting the optimal configuration for building the desert module,” said Ahmed Alami Merrouni, corresponding author and research project leader. pv magazine.
Material selection and design considerations were based on the group’s previous research on the key degradation modes for various PV technologies under desert and semi-arid conditions, which was published in several articles, plus a review of the literature to identify common errors such as reported in other articles. regions with hot, dry climates.
The analysis resulted in the Desert Module configuration, which was based on 120 monocrystalline half-cut passive emitter and back contact cells (PERC), chosen for their “high tolerance to hot spots and shading caused by partial dust deposition,” as well as ease of use during laminating process.
They also opted for 3.2mm solar glass with an anti-reflective coating for the front, as well as a “high-performance” back plate manufactured by Germany’s Féron Solar. Polyolefin encapsulants were chosen because of their “high resistance and stability to intense UV radiation.”
“This configuration improves module performance, increases resistance to contamination and exhibits significant durability against wear. It also allows the use of dry cleaning methods, which contributes to saving water and reducing operating and maintenance costs,” explains Alami Merrouni.
The reference PV panel was fabricated with a similar capacity, including 60 PERC all-monocrystalline silicon cells encapsulated with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The front glass was also covered with an anti-reflective coating, while the rear was covered with a standard back plate.
To ensure that the modules produced were free from manufacturing defects, indoor characterizations were carried out, including flash and electroluminescence tests, based on the IEC 60904 standard, followed by outdoor tests over a period of 8 months, from April to November in Benguerir’s semi- seminar. -dry location. The PV panels received a significant amount of solar radiation every day, ranging from 5.85 kWh/m2 to 6.56 kWh/m2. Finally, an economic analysis was performed in which the LCOE was estimated by simulating the output of a 40 MW power plant.
The Desert Module achieved a 5.8% improvement in performance ratio, a 1.95% increase in efficiency and reduced temperature sensitivity by 0.85% compared to standard modules. “Also the Desert module demonstrates a 4.44% reduction in the levelized cost of electricity compared to the conventional module, positioning it as an economically viable option for large-scale energy generation in desert environments,” the researchers said.
The work appears in “Innovative design and field performance evaluation of a desert-adapted PV module for”, published in Applied energy diary. A team from Green Energy Park, Mohamed VI Polytechnic University also participated in the study.
When asked about the response from members of academia and industry, Alami Merrouni responded that it is important to address the main challenges in maximizing solar energy production in the Moroccan deserts.
“By doing so, it could boost investment in PV power plants, create new jobs and facilitate the transition to a sustainable economy and society,” he said, noting that feedback from local laminating specialists and installing PV modules “emphasized that Standard Test Conditions (STC) are not sufficient to assess the durability of PV modules” and that the development of a PV module “specifically designed for desert environments” may extend the warranty period, which at its in turn “can encourage stakeholders and the government to invest in large-scale PV power plants, especially in the Moroccan Sahara.”
“We are currently evaluating the durability and longevity of this developed PV module to further increase its longevity and profitability in desert locations,” said Alami Merrouni, referring to the future directions of the group’s work.
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