Can a Camera Quantify Dust on Solar Panels? Imaging-Based Assessment of Dust Deposition and Its Impact on PV Performance
- Beschreibung
Dust accumulation on photovoltaic (PV) panels can significantly reduce energy conversion efficiency. However, regular cleaning and direct inspection are often time-consuming and costly, especially for large-scale installations. This project investigates whether a camera-based system can be used to detect and quantify dust deposition on solar panels and relate it to performance loss.
The experimental setup uses a camera mounted on an X–Y rail system to scan the solar panel surface under sunlight or controlled illumination conditions. Different dust amounts and particle sizes will be applied to the panel in a controlled indoor experiment. Image data will then be analyzed to quantify dust coverage and distribution, while electrical measurements from the solar panel will be recorded to evaluate performance changes.
The main goal is to determine whether imaging can provide a reliable, non-invasive method for estimating dust load and predicting its effect on solar panel efficiency.
- Beschreibung des interdisziplinären Teils des Projekts
- This project combines renewable energy, imaging technology, experimental engineering, and data analysis. Participants will learn about photovoltaic performance, dust-related losses, camera-based monitoring, and quantitative image analysis. By linking solar energy research with computer vision and measurement technology, the project demonstrates how low-cost sensing approaches can support practical and scalable PV monitoring.
- Projektzeitraum
- Sommersemester 2026
- Bewerbungszeitraum
- 07. bis 20.04.2026
- Durchführung
- semesterbegleitend
- Details zu Projektzeitraum und Durchführung
The project will be carried out during the winter semester with a flexible schedule in consultation with the supervisors. Experiments will be conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering. The setup includes a solar panel, a camera system mounted on an X–Y rail for surface scanning, and instruments for measuring electrical output. Controlled dust deposition experiments with different dust loads and particle sizes will be performed under sunlight or simulated light conditions. Data analysis and modelling can also be carried out remotely.
- Studienfach
- Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics & Subtropics
- Betreuende
- Khandoker Ahammad, Janvier Ntwali, Iris Ramaj, Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller
- Institut
- Institut für Agrartechnik (440) (Tropen und Subtropen gruppen)
- Sprache
- englisch
- Teilnehmendenanzahl
- min. 1, max. 2
- Arbeitsaufwand
-
ca. 180 Stunden pro Teilnehmende:r
| 6
ECTS-Punkte
Arbeitsaufwand (Stunden und ggf. ECTS) sind ungefähre Angaben. Die tatsächlich vergebenen ECTS-Punkte ergeben sich aus der tatsächlich geleisteten Arbeit.
- Für dieses Projekt ist kein Motivationsschreiben des Studierenden erforderlich
- Projektart
- experimentell
- Lernziele
-
Die Teilnehmende lernen in diesem Projekt:
In this project, participants will learn to:
- formulate and address a scientific research question
- understand the basics of photovoltaic energy and dust-related losses
- use camera-based imaging for non-invasive solar panel monitoring
- conduct controlled experiments with dust deposition
- collect and analyze electrical and image-based measurement data
- evaluate the relationship between dust load, particle size, and PV performance
- Anmerkungen für Studierende
- Schlagworte
- solar panel efficiency, dust deposition, particle size, photovoltaic monitoring, camera-based quantification, non-invasive diagnostics