CONCEPT NOTE
Note
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Before submitting your Concept Note please make sure that you have completed all sections.
Plagiarism check will be conducted so it must be avoided.
Surname (family name)
Other names
Matric No.
Current CGPA
Bamidele
Olalekan Oluwafemi
MEE/16/7979
1. Title of Proposed Study
A self-sustaining surface cleaning of solar system by studying the effect of Cryogenics on the
Performance of Solar Panels
2. Abstract: (one paragraph) (Max 300 words)
Solar energy is increasingly in demand as a clean, sustainable source of energy without a carbon footprint. This
write-up examines the effect of weather conditions(Cryogenics) on the performance of photovoltaic (PV), and
thermal solar energy applications. The aim is to use the result to develop a self-sustaining surface cleaning of
solar system inorder to maximize the utilized energy, to reduce the costs of energy and emissions.The
sensitivity of monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar module towards cloud cover has a great effect on
decreasing the daily energy yield of an unclean module.The limitation makes solar module an unreliable source
of power for remote devices and thus strongly suggested the challenges of cleaning the module's surface regularly
.
Background to the Study and Literature Review: (What have you read that has had an impact on your thinking
about the topic?) (Max 1000 words)
As a clean source of energy, solar and other types of renewable energy are important for meeting future
energy needs, especially in rural areas. Costs associated with the use of solar energy still present a challenge.
While photovoltaic (PV) systems comprise one of the most important renewa ble energy resources in terms
of global installed capacity, hybrid photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems increase system efficiency by using
a combination of PV and solar thermal collectors. This work focuses on PV and thermal systems as a
renewable source of energy. Problems involved with the use of this type of energy include efficiency,
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power fluctuations, and harmonics. Much research has been directed toward harmonic estimation and power
fluctuations, to reduce the impact of these factors. In addition, many studies have been done on maximizing the
efficiency of these systems. The present work focuses on weather conditions and their effects on solar energy
applications and systems and how to use the result acquired to develop a self-sustaining surface cleaning solar
system. Because weather conditions are among the most significant factors affecting these issues, this
study is important in terms of the overall cost of renewable energy integration, and the quality and security
of renewable power systems.The sun is the most significant source of renewable energy.The photovoltaic cell is
a semiconductor device that converts directly the sunlight into electrical power.In general,any element that
converts sunlight into sunlight into electricity is called PV device.
3. Statement of the Problem (What is the gap in Knowledge? Why does this research need to be
conducted?) (Max 250 words)
Solar panels are product primarily used for generating power and when the panels are exposed to atmosphere the
panels will be covered with cloud or ice leading to the decrease in the energy yield of the solar panels. Therefore,
the need for cleaning system to be developed is necessary inorder to increase the rate of energy yield of the solar
panel.
4. Objectives of the Study (What does the study hope to achieve?) (Max 5 objectives)
1.To study the effect of weather conditions on the solar panel
2.To develop a prototype of self-sustaining surface cleaning of a solar panel
5. Questions and/or Hypotheses (State the unknown in terms of questions or in terms of solutions).
Will this method be suitably applicable in different regions?
6. Justification: (Please highlight elements of creative thinking and innovative approach. Why this would
be suitable for undergraduate-level research) (Max 1000 words)
7. Proposed Research Design, Methods/Procedures (This answer the question, “How will you conduct
the study?”) (Max 500 words)
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8. References: (Include all the resources that have been used in the writing of the concept note. Follow
APA standard format for the references.)
Osam H. Attia et al 2019 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 1262 012021
Adinoyi M J and Said S A 2013 Effect of dust accumulation on the power outputs of solar photovoltaic
modules Renewable Energy 60 633-6
M. P. Porto, Hugo Pedro, L. Machado, R. N. N. Koury and C. F. M. Coimbra An Alternative Solution Based
on CAES and CES Systems For Reducing Power Output Variability From PV Solar Farms
Kiess, H. & Rehwald, W. On the ultimate efficiency of solar cells. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 38,45–55
(1995).
Kibria, M.T.; Ahammed, A.; Sony, S.M.; Hossain, F. A Review: Comparative studies on different generation
solar cells technology. In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Environmental Aspects of
Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 5–6 September 2014; pp. 51–53.
M. S. El-Shobokshy and F. M. Hussein, “Effect of dust with different physical properties on the performance
of photovoltaic cells,” Solar Energy, vol. 51, no. 6, pp. 505–511, 1993.
H. K. Elminir, A. E. Ghitas, R. H. Hamid, F. El-Hussainy, M. M. Beheary, and K. M. Abdel-Moneim, “Effect
of dust on the transparent cover of solar collectors,” Energy Conversion and Management, vol.47, no.18-19,
pp.3192–3203,2006.
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