Comprehensive review of environmental factors influencing the performance of photovoltaic panels: Concern over emissions at various phases throughout the lifecycle

Laxmikant D Jathar; S Ganesan; Umesh Awasarmol; Keval Nikam; Kiran Shahapurkar; Manzoore Elahi M Soudagar; H Fayaz; A S El-Shafay; M A Kalam; Salwa Bouadila; Sara Baddadi; Vineet Tirth; Abdul Sattar Nizami; Su Shiung Lam; Mohammad Rehan

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121474

Comprehensive review of environmental factors influencing the performance of photovoltaic panels: Concern over emissions at various phases throughout the lifecycle

Environ Pollut. 2023 Jun 1:326:121474. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121474. Epub 2023 Mar 23.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Army Institute of Technology Pune, Maharashtra, 411015, India.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan & Dr. Sagunthala R & D Institute of Science and Technology Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600062, India.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Engineering, Management and Research, Akurdi, Pune, 411044, India.
⁴ Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Adama Science and Technology University, Adama, 1888, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Mechanical Engineering and University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India; Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Technology, Glocal University, Delhi-Yamunotri Marg, Uttar Pradesh, 247121, India.
⁶ Modeling Evolutionary Algorithms Simulation and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam.
⁷ Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering in Al-Kharj, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, 11942 Saudi Arabia; Mechanical Power Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
⁸ School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FEIT, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
⁹ Centre de Recherches et des Technologies de L'Energie, Technopole de Borj-Cédria, B.P N° 95 2050, Hamam Lif, Ben Arous, Tunisia.
¹⁰ Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Asir, Saudi Arabia; Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, P.O. Box No. 9004, Asir, Saudi Arabia.
¹¹ Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Sustainable Development Study Centre (SDSC), Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan.
¹² Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University , Chennai, India.
¹³ Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: dr.mohammad_rehan@yahoo.co.uk.

PMID: 36965686
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121474

Abstract

Recently, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has shown tremendous growth among all renewable energy sectors. The attractiveness of a PV system depends deeply of the module and it is primarily determined by its performance. The quantity of electricity and power generated by a PV cell is contingent upon a number of parameters that can be intrinsic to the PV system itself, external or environmental. Thus, to improve the PV panel performance and lifetime, it is crucial to recognize the main parameters that directly influence the module during its operational lifetime. Among these parameters there are numerous factors that positively impact a PV system including the temperature of the solar panel, humidity, wind speed, amount of light, altitude and barometric pressure. On the other hand, the module can be exposed to simultaneous environmental stresses such as dust accumulation, shading and pollution factors. All these factors can gradually decrease the performance of the PV panel. This review not only provides the factors impacting PV panel's performance but also discusses the degradation and failure parameters that can usually affect the PV technology. The major points include: 1) Total quantity of energy extracted from a photovoltaic module is impacted on a daily, quarterly, seasonal, and yearly scale by the amount of dust formed on the surface of the module. 2) Climatic conditions as high temperatures and relative humidity affect the operation of solar cells by more than 70% and lead to a considerable decrease in solar cells efficiency. 3) The PV module current can be affected by soft shading while the voltage does not vary. In the case of hard shadowing, the performance of the photovoltaic module is determined by whether some or all of the cells of the module are shaded. 4) Compared to more traditional forms of energy production, PV systems offer a significant number of advantages to the environment. Nevertheless, these systems can procure greenhouse gas emissions, especially during the production stages. In conclusion, this study underlines the importance of considering multiple parameters while evaluating the performance of photovoltaic modules. Environmental factors can have a major impact on the performance of a PV system. It is critical to consider these factors, as well as intrinsic and other intermediate factors, to optimize the performance of solar energy systems. In addition, continuous monitoring and maintenance of PV systems is essential to ensure maximum efficiency and performance.

Keywords: Clean energy; Energy efficiency; Life cycle assessment; Renewable energy; Solar photovoltaic; Sustainability.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Dust / analysis
Greenhouse Gases*
Humidity
Solar Energy*

Substances

Dust
Greenhouse Gases