Exploration of Solar Panel Damage and Service Life Reduction Using Condition Assessment, Dust Accumulation, and Material Testing

István Bodnár, Dávid Matusz-Kalász () and Ruben Rafael Boros
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István Bodnár: Institute of Physics and Electrical Engineering, University of Miskolc, 3515 Miskolc, Hungary
Dávid Matusz-Kalász: Institute of Physics and Electrical Engineering, University of Miskolc, 3515 Miskolc, Hungary
Ruben Rafael Boros: Institute of Physics and Electrical Engineering, University of Miskolc, 3515 Miskolc, Hungary

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive inspection of a 10.044 MWp solar power plant that had operational problems. The condition assessment was necessary because the power plant was constantly producing electricity significantly below the expected peak power. The research confirmed that the cause of the decrease in performance is the pollution from the industrial park and the conventional power plant located next to the solar system. The accuracy of the results is confirmed using on-site thermal imaging at the solar power plant and laboratory tests. During the laboratory tests, the electrical performance of 1063 solar panels was examined as well as their damaging and life-reducing effect with further thermography tests. Surface dirt deposition cause several significant problems during energy generation. Power outages are a minor problem, and sustainable production is the main goal in the long term. If the failure and destruction of the solar modules cause more serious damage, the lifetime of the photovoltaic power plants can be shortened.

Keywords: condition assessment; dust accumulation; material testing; solar panel degradation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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