LAPSE:2023.33608
Published Article
LAPSE:2023.33608
Design of a Low-Cost Multiplexer for the Study of the Impact of Soiling on PV Panel Performance
April 21, 2023
Atmospheric factors, such as clouds, wind, dust, or aerosols, play an important role in the power generation of photovoltaic (PV) plants. Among these factors, soiling has been revealed as one of the most relevant causes diminishing the PV yield, mainly in arid zones or deserts. The effect of soiling on the PV performance can be analyzed by means of I−V curves measured simultaneously on two PV panels: one soiled and the other clean. To this end, two I−V tracers, or one I−V tracer along with a multiplexer, are needed. Unfortunately, these options are usually expensive, and only one I−V tracer is typically available at the site of interest. In this work, the design of a low-cost multiplexer is described. The multiplexer is controlled by a low-cost single-board microcontroller manufactured by ArduinoTM, and is capable of managing several pairs of PV panels almost simultaneously. The multiplexer can be installed outdoors, in contrast to many commercial I−V tracers or multiplexers. This advantage allows the soiling effect to be monitored on two PV panels, by means of I−V indoor tracers. I−V curves measured by the low-cost multiplexer are also presented, and preliminary results are analyzed.
Keywords
I–V curves, multiplexer, PV plants monitoring, soiling
Suggested Citation
López G, Ramírez D, Alonso-Montesinos J, Sarmiento J, Polo J, Martín-Chivelet N, Marzo A, Batlles FJ, Ferrada P. Design of a Low-Cost Multiplexer for the Study of the Impact of Soiling on PV Panel Performance. (2023). LAPSE:2023.33608
Author Affiliations
López G: Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Térmica, de Diseño y Proyectos, Universidad de Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain [ORCID]
Ramírez D: Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Térmica, de Diseño y Proyectos, Universidad de Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain [ORCID]
Alonso-Montesinos J: Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain [ORCID]
Sarmiento J: Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Térmica, de Diseño y Proyectos, Universidad de Huelva, 21007 Huelva, Spain
Polo J: Photovoltaic Solar Energy Unit, Renewable Energy Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain [ORCID]
Martín-Chivelet N: Photovoltaic Solar Energy Unit, Renewable Energy Division, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain [ORCID]
Marzo A: Centro de Desarrollo Energético Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Angamos 601, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile [ORCID]
Batlles FJ: Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain [ORCID]
Ferrada P: Centro de Desarrollo Energético Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Angamos 601, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile [ORCID]
Journal Name
Energies
Volume
14
Issue
14
First Page
4186
Year
2021
Publication Date
2021-07-11
Published Version
ISSN
1996-1073
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PII: en14144186, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2023.33608
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doi:10.3390/en14144186
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Apr 21, 2023
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