Sand Effect on Photovoltaic Array Efficiency in Algerian Desert

The Algerian energy strategy recommends an increase of renewable energies contribution. The objective is to reach a renewable energies contribution for electricity production of 5 % by year 2015 and 40 % by year 2030, through photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal and wind generators. In this sense, the insertion of a PV system has an impact on social development, economy and environment on desert regions. However, the southern Algerian regions are generally characterized by frequent sandstorms. This natural phenomenon causes the dust accumulation on PV panels. Consequently, this may reduce the efficiency of PV array. The objective of this research is to study the effects of the dirt accumulation on the performance of a PV array in a desert region of Algeria (for our case Ghardaia site, 32°29ʹN, 3°40ʹE, 450 m). The experiments have been conducted on the effect of the dust particle accumulation on the PV modules. The tests were performed with the PVPM2540C in natural conditions to determine the current/voltage characteristics and see the resulting efficiency. It was found in this study, that the dust accumulation on the PV array surface for a period of several months can significantly reduce the PV array efficiency with an average power loss of about 4.38 %.