The Possibility of the Exploration of Influence of External Factors on the Solar Panels in Laboratory Conditions

Abstract The purpose of this article is an exploration of the influences of external factors on solar panels in laboratory conditions. In order to study the effect of dust deposition on solar panels, a special testing chamber was fabricated. The effects of dust deposition on short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage and efficiency were tested. All measurements have been performed under the IEC 61853-1-2013 standard for the low-light illumination conditions. The investigation showed that the dust mass increasing on the surface of the solar panel decreased the electrical characteristics of the module. When settling the 16 g/m2 dust mass on the panel surface, the short circuit current and the open circuit voltage decreased. Short-circuit current is more sensitive to dust accumulation than open-circuit voltage. The study highlights the importance of developing strategies to mitigate dust deposition on solar panels to maintain and maximize their power output.