Effects Of Processed Dry Bird Droppings on Solar Panel Performance

The performance degradation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels due to environmental contaminants has become a significant concern in solar energy applications. This study investigated the effects of processed dry bird droppings on the performance of solar panels under outdoor environmental conditions at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria. Two identical photovoltaic modules were employed for the experiment: one module was maintained in a clean condition while the second module was deliberately soiled using processed dry bird droppings. Experimental measurements involving solar intensity, ambient temperature, current, and voltage were recorded at 30-minute intervals between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm over a three-day period. The results revealed that bird droppings significantly reduced the electrical output performance of the photovoltaic panel. The highest power output recorded for the clean panel was 6.330 W, whereas the soiled panel produced only 3.124 W under similar operating conditions. The highest percentage decrease in power and efficiency were observed to be 54.22% and 54.13% respectively. The findings established that bird droppings accumulation adversely affects photovoltaic efficiency and overall energy generation. The study therefore recommends regular cleaning and maintenance of photovoltaic modules in order to sustain optimum system performance.