Design of a Low-Cost Multiplexer for the Study of the Impact of Soiling on PV Panel Performance

Gabriel López, Diego Ramírez, Joaquín Alonso-Montesinos, Juan Sarmiento, Jesús Polo, Nuria Martín-Chivelet, Aitor Marzo, Francisco Javier Batlles and Pablo Ferrada
Additional contact information
Gabriel López: Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Térmica, de Diseño y Proyectos, Universidad de Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Diego Ramírez: Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Térmica, de Diseño y Proyectos, Universidad de Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Joaquín Alonso-Montesinos: Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
Juan Sarmiento: Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Térmica, de Diseño y Proyectos, Universidad de Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Jesús Polo: Photovoltaic Solar Energy Unit, Renewable Energy Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Nuria Martín-Chivelet: Photovoltaic Solar Energy Unit, Renewable Energy Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Aitor Marzo: Centro de Desarrollo Energético Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Angamos 601, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
Francisco Javier Batlles: Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
Pablo Ferrada: Centro de Desarrollo Energético Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Angamos 601, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Atmospheric factors, such as clouds, wind, dust, or aerosols, play an important role in the power generation of photovoltaic (PV) plants. Among these factors, soiling has been revealed as one of the most relevant causes diminishing the PV yield, mainly in arid zones or deserts. The effect of soiling on the PV performance can be analyzed by means of I–V curves measured simultaneously on two PV panels: one soiled and the other clean. To this end, two I–V tracers, or one I–V tracer along with a multiplexer, are needed. Unfortunately, these options are usually expensive, and only one I–V tracer is typically available at the site of interest. In this work, the design of a low-cost multiplexer is described. The multiplexer is controlled by a low-cost single-board microcontroller manufactured by Arduino TM , and is capable of managing several pairs of PV panels almost simultaneously. The multiplexer can be installed outdoors, in contrast to many commercial I–V tracers or multiplexers. This advantage allows the soiling effect to be monitored on two PV panels, by means of I–V indoor tracers. I–V curves measured by the low-cost multiplexer are also presented, and preliminary results are analyzed.

Keywords: multiplexer; PV plants monitoring; soiling; I–V curves (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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