The sound of rain falling on photovoltaic panels

How does rain affect solar panels?

In more detail and more specifically, the interception of rain by the impervious surface of the solar panels produces an “umbrella effect” that delineates a sheltered area.

Does rain affect the energy production of crystalline photovoltaic modules?

In this sense, numerous studies have been performed in the past decades to assess the influence on the energy production of crystalline photovoltaic modules of several factors, such as spectral quality of solar irradiance, temperature, wind speed, soiling, snow etc. but so far the effect of rain appears scarcely investigated.

What happens if rain stops a solar module?

When the rain stops, if we assume to have roughly 1 mm maximum of rain layer accumulated on the glass (see considerations above about the water accumulation), the residual cooling effect, which is mainly evaporative, helps to slow down the raise of the module temperature due to the solar irradiance.

Does rain prevent performance losses on tilted PV modules?

To confirm such results, a specific test carried out on tilted PV modules in urban environment without particular sources of dust (Milan) found that rain operates an effective cleaning of big particles of dust thus preventing significant performance losses.

Does rain affect surface cleaning tilted PV modules?

In conclusion, it can be confirmed that rain has a positive impact on the surface cleaning tilted PV modules (i.e., up to 6%), especially in dusty environment and if rainfalls are convective type, thus quite intense.

How is rain measured under solar panels?

Rain amounts in the nearby control zone are measured with a tipping bucket rain gauge (Young 52203, Campbell Sci.). A wind-vane anemometer (Young 05103-L, Campbell Sci.) allows the recording of the wind direction and velocity. Figure 1 Effective rain and soil water content measurement under solar panels.