Experimental and mechanical analyses of dust agglomeration on photovoltaic surfaces due to condensation

The dust deposited on a photovoltaic (PV) surface decreases the photoelectric efficiency of a module, leading to potential security risks. A few studies have demonstrated that condensation affects dust accumulation on PV surfaces; however, the mechanism remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of dust agglomeration dynamic factors on PV surfaces using micro-experiments and mechanical analysis. An experimental platform for dust particle agglomeration due to condensation was designed and developed, and microscopic experiments were conducted to study the dust particle agglomeration process on the PV panel surface. The particles on the hydrophilic PV surface were confirmed to agglomerate owing to condensation. The particle agglomeration process on the hydrophilic PV surface primarily entails three typical processes that occur sequentially: fusion between droplets, fusion between the semi-submerged particles and droplets, and agglomeration between semi-submerged particles. The particles agglomerated on the hydrophilic PV surfaces have a tiled morphology. An analysis of the particle agglomeration mechanism on the hydrophilic PV surface due to condensation was performed. Water surface tension was identified as the main dynamic factor leading to particle agglomeration during condensation. The results provide theoretical guidance for reducing the dust deposited on PV surfaces.