Chemical Analysis of Soiling of Photovoltaic Modules in Different Moroccan Areas

The present work presents a chemical analysis and a mapping of soiling that spontaneously and randomly forms on the surface of photovoltaic panels installed in several Moroccan areas under different conditions climate. Based on De Martonne Index, five sites have been selected for collecting dust samples. These samples have been processed and analyzed using X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and spectroscopy infrared techniques. The results revealed the existence of similar abundant constituents, mainly quartz, calcite and kaolinite whose percentages differ from a climate to another. Different percentages lead to different effects and soiling in Rabat’s sample has shown the worst effect on optical transmission with a percentage of 25.33%, followed respectively by Agadir’s sample (13.33%) and Errachidia’s sample (6.66%). The main reason found behind this result is the color of samples due to their chemical composition which is dark and rich in carbon in Rabat’s sample while it is white and rich in calcium oxide in Errachidia’s sample. The determination of the chemical composition of soiling will be helpful for researchers working on preventive solutions of this phenomenon, especially those trying to develop efficient anti-soiling coating materials for glass surfaces. It will also be useful for those studying how soiling can damage the front surface of photovoltaic modules.

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