Hello there, solar enthusiasts! Today I’m going to share an exciting development in the field of solar technology. If you’re someone who is interested in solar or looking to find the best solar company for your needs, you’ll definitely want to tune in.
One of the most common issues that often get overlooked by aspiring solar users and even some solar companies is the concept of ‘soiling’ on your solar panels. Soiling is just what it sounds like – dust, debris, and even bird droppings that accumulate on your solar panels over time. These unwanted guests can cause a significant reduction in solar energy production and can even potentially damage the panels.
Get this, according to IEA-PVPS, soiling caused a whopping 3% to 4% energy production loss in 2018 alone. And with the increasing number of solar installations worldwide, especially in regions prone to soiling, this figure is estimated to increase to around 4%-5%. That translates to a hefty loss ranging between $4.4 billion to $7.6 billion. But relief is on the horizon.
Fracsun, a prominent figure in the solar sphere, has just introduced an innovative AI-backed tool, CLEO AI. This software tool uses both ground-level measurements and weather data to model a typical year of soiling losses, wherever you are in the U.S. This means you can predict how much energy your solar array for home could potentially lose due to soiling and plan accordingly.
The ingenious tool incorporates a range of parameters, including PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, seasonal trends, and the impacts of wind and precipitation – all the stuff that makes up the soiling on your solar panels for your home.
With this information at your disposal, you as a homeowner or even solar companies can refine their production models, improve energy yield assumptions, and get the most out of your solar installation.
Caitlin Mattheis, Fracsun’s CEO, says, “With the CLEO AI-powered model, our customers can now proactively manage [soiling], optimizing maintenance plans and production forecasts to maximize their return on investment.”
But before you get too excited, remember, CLEO AI is still in its Beta stage. Fracsun is currently accepting applications from solar companies and individual solar asset owners to be part of CLEO AI’s Beta test group.
This is an exciting time for the solar industry, as advancements like CLEO AI continue to pave the way for more efficient and productive solar energy generation. It’s a step further to making the sun’s energy the primary source of power for our homes and businesses. I’ll be sure to keep you all updated on any new developments in this field. Stay tuned, and keep embracing the power of the sun, folks!
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/07/12/fracsun-introduces-ai-powered-solar-soling-loss-simulator-tool/
