Soiling detection for PV application and cleaning optimisation in arid and semi-arid areas of North Africa

Project management

© Prof. Dr. Ahmed Alami Merrouni

Prof. Dr. Ahmed Alami Merrouni,
Mohammed First University, Oujda, Morocco
in cooperation with

© Prof. Dr. Ralph Gottschalg

Prof. Dr. Ralph Gottschalg,
Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Halle (Saale)

Project description

Photovoltac installation © Prof. Dr. Ahmed Alami Merrouni

Energy generation by means of photovoltaics (PV) is very attractive in the sunbelt regions of North Africa due to the high solar radiation. Especially in these regions, however, dust deposition on PV modules, so-called 'soiling', leads to a significant reduction in energy yield.

Within the framework of the German-Moroccan cooperation project SoDeCo, prototypes of an innovative soiling sensor and a maintenance tool for predicting soiling and energy losses were developed, which can achieve a significant improvement in the detection, monitoring and mitigation of soiling.

Soiling detection © Prof. Dr. Ahmed Alami Merrouni

As a result, the technology can be used nationally or international and the range of services offered by the cooperating partners can be expanded, providing an industry platform for investigations and tests (in the laboratory and under real conditions) in the context of the fouling problem of PV systems.

So far, the initial investigations have validated the data and functionality of the concept. The next step towards commercialisation is the near-industrial construction of a market-ready prototype.

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