Date of Defense
6-5-2026 2:00 PM
Location
F1-1077
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering (MSChE)
College
COE
Department
Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Abdulrahman Yaqoub Alraeesi
Keywords
photovoltaic, monocrystalline, polycrystalline, performance, degradation.
Abstract
The thesis studies monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic modules under desert operating conditions. The study uses long term outdoor exposure at the UAEU Falaj Hazza campus. Dust deposition, strong temperature variation, and high irradiance shape field performance at the site. The work sets three objectives. Track performance degradation over time. Identify dominant loss mechanisms. Define maintenance strategies supported by experimental data and field observations. The experimental plan uses two module groups. A reference group receives daily cleaning. A test group stays uncleaned across several weeks of exposure. A monitoring system records electrical outputs such as current, voltage, and power. The same system records module surface temperature and local weather indicators. The data show a consistent sequence. Dust buildup reduces optical transmission at the surface. Lower transmission reduces photogenerated current. Power output drops in stages as dust layers grow thicker. The decline continues during periods of high solar irradiance. The daily cleaned reference group maintains stable electrical behavior across the full monitoring window. This contrast links performance loss to surface soiling, not to short interval atmospheric variation. Rising module temperature strengthens the loss trend through reduced voltage during peak irradiance hours. Higher humidity increases dust adhesion and speeds up accumulation. Lower wind speed reduces natural dust removal and leaves thicker dust layers on the surface. These factors combine and accelerate degradation during extended exposure. Polycrystalline modules show higher early-stage power loss. Stronger initial adhesion aligns with surface texture effects. Monocrystalline modules show slower early decline. After prolonged dust accumulation, monocrystalline modules show abrupt power loss once dust coverage becomes dense and continuous. Both technologies reach severe degradation when continuous dust coverage forms across the active surface. Cleaning restores performance for both module types and confirms reversibility for most losses. Daily cleaning preserves output yet increases surface contact and repeated handling. Monthly and seasonal cleaning intervals allow heavy dust buildup and lead to large energy yield loss. Weekly cleaning interrupts accumulation before severe loss develops and reduces durability risk. Experimental results support weekly cleaning as the most suitable maintenance interval for desert photovoltaic installations based on performance recovery and exposure trends. The findings guide module selection, maintenance scheduling, and performance monitoring for arid environments. The work supports improved reliability and higher energy yield for photovoltaic systems operating under sustained dust exposure and repeated soiling cycles.
Included in
STUDY OF PV PANEL DEGRADATION UNDER EXTREME WEATHERING WITHIN UAE CLIMATE CONDITIONS
F1-1077
The thesis studies monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic modules under desert operating conditions. The study uses long term outdoor exposure at the UAEU Falaj Hazza campus. Dust deposition, strong temperature variation, and high irradiance shape field performance at the site. The work sets three objectives. Track performance degradation over time. Identify dominant loss mechanisms. Define maintenance strategies supported by experimental data and field observations. The experimental plan uses two module groups. A reference group receives daily cleaning. A test group stays uncleaned across several weeks of exposure. A monitoring system records electrical outputs such as current, voltage, and power. The same system records module surface temperature and local weather indicators. The data show a consistent sequence. Dust buildup reduces optical transmission at the surface. Lower transmission reduces photogenerated current. Power output drops in stages as dust layers grow thicker. The decline continues during periods of high solar irradiance. The daily cleaned reference group maintains stable electrical behavior across the full monitoring window. This contrast links performance loss to surface soiling, not to short interval atmospheric variation. Rising module temperature strengthens the loss trend through reduced voltage during peak irradiance hours. Higher humidity increases dust adhesion and speeds up accumulation. Lower wind speed reduces natural dust removal and leaves thicker dust layers on the surface. These factors combine and accelerate degradation during extended exposure. Polycrystalline modules show higher early-stage power loss. Stronger initial adhesion aligns with surface texture effects. Monocrystalline modules show slower early decline. After prolonged dust accumulation, monocrystalline modules show abrupt power loss once dust coverage becomes dense and continuous. Both technologies reach severe degradation when continuous dust coverage forms across the active surface. Cleaning restores performance for both module types and confirms reversibility for most losses. Daily cleaning preserves output yet increases surface contact and repeated handling. Monthly and seasonal cleaning intervals allow heavy dust buildup and lead to large energy yield loss. Weekly cleaning interrupts accumulation before severe loss develops and reduces durability risk. Experimental results support weekly cleaning as the most suitable maintenance interval for desert photovoltaic installations based on performance recovery and exposure trends. The findings guide module selection, maintenance scheduling, and performance monitoring for arid environments. The work supports improved reliability and higher energy yield for photovoltaic systems operating under sustained dust exposure and repeated soiling cycles.