Solar Energy Harvesting in Urban Areas using Photovoltaic Thermal Systems

Abstract

An exhaustive investigation of the effect that urban pollution and heat have on the efficiency of Photovoltaic Thermal (PVT) systems was carried out by means of a comparative field study that included empirical data analysis. Pollutant accumulation on PVT systems in urban environments showed a significant increase over the course of a five-day period. These rates increased from an initial value of 0.03 g/m² to 0.07 g/m², representing a significant increase of 133.33%. As a direct result, the performance of PVT systems saw a considerable decline, with electricity generation falling from an average of 18% to 14% after exposure to urban conditions, a 22.22% loss in efficiency. Concurrently, the examination of urban climate factors revealed correlations between increased pollutant accumulation and higher temperatures (25-30°C), reduced air quality, decreased humidity (50-62%), higher wind speeds (2-4 meters per second), and varying solar irradiation (780-900 watts/m²). The environmental impacts on PVT system performance were further elucidated via correlation analysis, which highlighted probable connections between urban climate and system inefficiency. The research also emphasized the varying effectiveness of cooling interventions and airflow enhancements in reducing the performance losses of PVT systems in urban areas. Our findings underscore the importance of specific cooling tactics and maintenance procedures in maintaining optimal solar energy harvesting performance in urban environments. These results also provide valuable insights into the development of effective mitigation measures for PVT systems in challenging urban conditions. Keywords: Urban pollution, solar panel efficiency, Dust deposition, Environmental factors, Cleaning interventions