Assessment of the Impact of Aerosol Deposits on the Electrical Performance of a Photovoltaic Module Using an IoT System: Application to the Context of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Nébon Bado
*
Laboratoire d’Energies Thermiques Renouvelables (LETRE), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, BP 13495 Ouaga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Laboratoire de Physique de l’Atmosphère et de l’Océan Siméon - Fongang, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, BP 5085 Dakar -Fann, Dakar, Sénégal.
Boureima Dianda
Laboratoire d’Energies Thermiques Renouvelables (LETRE), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, BP 13495 Ouaga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Energy department, National Center for Scientific and Technological Research, BP 03 7047 Ouagadougou 03, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Sidpendyaolba Sosthène Ldg Tassembédo
Laboratoire de Matériaux et Environnement, Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Laetitia Bénédicte Nabaloum
Laboratoire d’Energies Thermiques Renouvelables (LETRE), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, BP 13495 Ouaga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Bruno Korgo
Laboratoire d’Energies Thermiques Renouvelables (LETRE), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, BP 13495 Ouaga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Mamadou Simina Dramé
Laboratoire de Physique de l’Atmosphère et de l’Océan Siméon - Fongang, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, BP 5085 Dakar -Fann, Dakar, Sénégal.
Florent P. Kieno
Laboratoire d’Energies Thermiques Renouvelables (LETRE), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, BP 13495 Ouaga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Sié Kam
Laboratoire d’Energies Thermiques Renouvelables (LETRE), Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, BP 13495 Ouaga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study focuses on the energy production of solar installations and evaluates the impact of aerosol deposits on the electrical performance of photovoltaic modules under the climatic conditions of Ouagadougou in the Sudano-Sahelian region. We designed and installed an experimental set-up comprising two identical 50 Wp monocrystalline modules exposed under the same conditions. Each module incorporated an IoT system comprising two microcontrollers, sensors, and a data acquisition system for monitoring power output. The results indicate a gradual reduction in the electrical current generated by the soiled module, with weekly relative losses ranging from 4.27% to 9.58%, together with increasing variability in the effect of soiling. This current behaviour contrasts with the voltage trend, which remained relatively stable under the experimental conditions. The power-output profile closely followed the current profile, indicating that the observed power reduction was mainly associated with changes in current. In energy terms, the effect was reflected in production losses during the sunniest hours, with estimated weekly power losses ranging from 8.65% to 19.50%. Furthermore, increasing daily loss rates, declining production efficiency indicated by the soiling ratio, and the average weekly losses support the importance of reliable, continuous, and autonomous monitoring of photovoltaic system performance using IoT-based systems, particularly in Sahelian environments subject to frequent dust events.
Keywords: Aerosol deposition, photovoltaic soiling, electrical performance, Internet of Things, PM₂.₅, power loss, solar photovoltaics, real-time monitoring, Sudano-Sahelian climate, Ouagadougou