Photovoltaic (PV) power generation technology is one of the most important methods for reaching the carbon peak and achieving carbon neutralization. Dust accumulation on the surface of PV glass greatly reduces the working performance and power generation efficiency of PVs. The hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces on the PV glass have substantial self-cleaning potential. In this study, the liquid bridges formed between particles and the hydrophobic or hydrophilic surfaces of solar PV glass are investigated. The effects of the liquid bridge force and the influencing factors for these two surfaces on particle dynamics behaviours are studied. Furthermore, the self-cleaning abilities of these two surfaces are also discussed. The results indicate that the liquid bridges formed between a particle and a hydrophilic PV glass placed horizontally or obliquely exhibit similar saddle shapes, but the liquid bridges wrap the particle on the surface of hydrophobic PV glass. The influence of the liquid bridges causes particles to adhere to the tilted hydrophilic or hydrophobic surfaces at liquid bridge volumes (VL) < 6 μL, making initially moving particles stay on these two tilted surfaces with 6 μL ≤ VL ≤ 20 μL and even achieving self-cleaning properties at VL > 20 μL. Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces increase the self-cleaning forces resulting from the liquid bridge formation with increasing VL, thus completing the self-cleaning process. Increasing the self-cleaning forces and decreasing the friction force and the liquid bridge force improves the self-cleaning abilities of the surface. These research findings have important theoretical significance and commercial engineering value in preventing and reducing dust accumulation on glass.
Keywords: Dust accumulation; Photovoltaic; Renewable energy; Solar energy.
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