Title:	Soiling and Snow Impact on a PV Plant at a Farm in Norway
Author(s):	H.N. Riise, M.B. Øgaard, T.U. Nærland
Keywords:	Performance, Soiling, Snow
Topic:	PV Systems – Modelling, Design, Operation and Performance
Subtopic:	Operation, Performance and Maintenance of PV Systems
Event:	38th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition
Session:	5CV.2.26
Pages:	1241 - 1244
ISBN:	3-936338-78-7
Paper DOI:	10.4229/EUPVSEC20212021-5CV.2.26
Price:	0,00 EUR
Document(s):	paper

Abstract/Summary:

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Soiling of solar cell modules may impact the energy yield of a PV installation significantly. Although soiling losses are frequently reported in regions known for high soiling, the soiling impact on PV production in regions where soiling losses are expected to be limited, such as Norway, is rarely reported. On the other hand, point emission sources can increase the soiling at a site, and in this work, agricultural activity at a farm in Norway is correlated with the soiling levels experienced by a PV plant on the farmhouse roof. Soiling rates are determined from on-site measurements and estimated through analyzing the performance of the plant. Additionally, the energy loss from soiling and snow, respectively, are determined. The energy loss from soiling is quantified to 3.8 kWh/kWp/yr (~0.41 % of annual production), pointing to negligible soiling loss in Norway even in the presence of a point emission source. Energy loss from snow is estimated to 20.2 kWh/kWp/yr (~2.2 % of annual production), indicating that snow loss is more a more significant loss factor.