Applicability of photoelectrical solar units inside domical structures in northern conditions

Abstract

The possibility of installing photoelectrical solar units inside domical structures with the maintenance of their power generation level was investigated; an optimal distance between a photoelectrical solar unit and the transparent walls of the respective domical structure was determined. The experiments were carried out at the North-Eastern Federal University in the central part of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) by determining reduction in the electrical energy efficiency of photoelectrical solar units when changing their location. An optimal distance for installing such units within transparent domical structures was found based on graphical interpretations and gradients. The authors obtained reference parameters for light flux reduction, the generation power of a photoelectrical solar unit when changing the operation medium, and the optimal distance of a photoelectrical solar unit inside a domical structure for reducing the surface contamination of the unit. It was found that, when photoelectrical solar units are operated within a transparent domical structure, the power generation falls by 25.61% as compared to actual results in open space. It was found that an increase in the distance between the transparent walls of the domical structure and the unit led to a decrease in the power generation by ~23.01% and the light flux power by 5.224% at 1.5 m. This method of installing photoelectrical solar units can be used in the construction and designing of smart home systems and autonomous power generation facilities in northern regions of Russia.