Effects of sandblasting on the efficiencies of solar panels

Photovoltaic solar-energy can be a solution, if efficiently used, for provi ding electrification, water pumping and communications in inaccessible regi ons as in the south of Algeria. The glass protected solar panels made for t hese purposes are, however, constantly exposed to the damaging effects caus ed by sandstorms. These occur particularly in spring with velocities that c an reach 120 km/h, and for various durations, typically similar to 48 h. Th e small particles of sand (of average size < 120 mu m) rise high into the a tmosphere, and the relatively large particles (average size > 120 mu m) rem ain at lower altitudes and at ground level. This preliminary work considers the effects of the sandblasting duration on the efficiencies of solar pane ls. The results show that the solar panels' efficiencies decrease during sa ndstorms, and some of these decreases are permanent when the protective gla ss sheets are damaged by erosion. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.