Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects, cilt.48, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems are great for producing both heat and electricity, but they are very sensitive to the environment. Dirt and dust that settle on the panels can block sunlight and trap heat, which seriously hurts their performance. This study examines the impact of dust on the performance of a hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) air collector through an experimental investigation conducted in Jijel, Algeria. The tests were carried out using three types of dust: cement, gray sand, and brown sand, naturally deposited on the collector surface to simulate realistic environmental conditions rather than uniform laboratory distribution. The results clearly demonstrate that dust accumulation significantly influences both the thermal and electrical behaviors of the hybrid system. As the dust concentration increases from 0 to 15 g/m2, the PV/T surface temperature rises from 48°C to 53°C due to stronger solar absorption and insulating effects. However, clean panels remain the most thermally efficient. The outlet air temperature decreases with increasing dust mass or thermal resistance, showing that dust layers, especially cement and fine sand, impede heat transfer and reduce the system’s thermal efficiency. Moreover, darker and finer dusts cause higher cell temperatures and lead to a reduction of 1.13–2.38% in electrical efficiency. The novelty of this research lies in its comparative analysis of different dust types under non-uniform natural distribution, providing crucial insights into real-world performance degradation that uniform laboratory tests often overlook. The non-uniform natural distribution of dust, often observed on real installations, reinforces the variability of these effects. Overall, the study provides experimental evidence of the coupled influence of dust on both thermal and electrical energy forms, highlighting the importance of regular cleaning and preventive strategies to ensure the reliability and longevity of PV/T systems in dusty coastal and semi-arid regions.