Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- About This Book
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Global Warming and Climate Change
- 2 Solar Power and Sustainable Energy Technologies and Their Impact on Global Economy
- 3 Overview of Solar Power System Technology
- 4 Solar Power System Economics
- 5 Long-Term Project Financing and Power Purchase Agreements
- 6 Solar Power Rebates, Financing, and Feed-In Tariffs Programs
- 7 Importance of Solar Power System Peak Power Performance and Solar Power System Hazard Mitigation
- 8 Solar Power System Econometric and Analytical Software Solution
- 9 Economics of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Carbon Trading
- 10 The Smart Grid Systems Deployment and Economics
- 11 Environmental Design Considerations
- 12 Energy Storage Systems
- Appendix A Unit Conversion and Design Reference Tables
- Appendix B Energy Systems
- Appendix C Glossary of Solar Energy Power Terms
- Appendix D California Solar Initiative – PV Incentives
- Index
7 - Importance of Solar Power System Peak Power Performance and Solar Power System Hazard Mitigation
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 November 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- About This Book
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Global Warming and Climate Change
- 2 Solar Power and Sustainable Energy Technologies and Their Impact on Global Economy
- 3 Overview of Solar Power System Technology
- 4 Solar Power System Economics
- 5 Long-Term Project Financing and Power Purchase Agreements
- 6 Solar Power Rebates, Financing, and Feed-In Tariffs Programs
- 7 Importance of Solar Power System Peak Power Performance and Solar Power System Hazard Mitigation
- 8 Solar Power System Econometric and Analytical Software Solution
- 9 Economics of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Carbon Trading
- 10 The Smart Grid Systems Deployment and Economics
- 11 Environmental Design Considerations
- 12 Energy Storage Systems
- Appendix A Unit Conversion and Design Reference Tables
- Appendix B Energy Systems
- Appendix C Glossary of Solar Energy Power Terms
- Appendix D California Solar Initiative – PV Incentives
- Index
Summary
Introduction
This chapter covers the significance of power output performance of all types of solar power system installations. Regardless of type of technology, whether solar photovoltaic power, concentrator type solar power systems, or solar thermal technologies, system upkeep and maintenance are of great importance. To take advantage of maximum return on investment, solar power systems, though quite robust and reliable from a physical and operation point of view, in order to harvest maximum amount of energy production, must at all times be kept at peak performance. This chapter discusses the significance of upkeep of solar power systems.
Effects of Dust on Solar Power System Energy Output Performance
As discussed in Chapter 1, solar power output performance is directly proportional to the amount of solar irradiance that impacts the photovoltaic modules. Therefore, any obstacle that blocks or refracts the solar rays will prevent photons from being absorbed and converted into electrical current. Most common of all such obstacles are airborne particulates such as dust and water particulate in the air that gradually settle on the surface of PV panels.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Large-Scale Solar Power SystemsConstruction and Economics, pp. 125 - 147Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2012