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Abstract
Introduction. The paper proposes an approach to assessing the potential icing risk on the front surface of photovoltaic modules across Uzbekistan. The assessment is based on the duration of daytime subzero temperatures, the number of such days, and a normalized risk index. The results show that the highest potential risk is characteristic of mountainous, foothill, and some northern regions of the country.
Methods and materials. The study uses cartographic materials for Uzbekistan showing the total duration of daytime hours with air temperatures of 0 °C and below, as well as the number of days with such conditions. The indicators H0,day, N0,day, and the index Iice were introduced. Additional factors affecting the actual surface condition of the module, including surface temperature, humidity, solid precipitation, wind speed, irradiance in the module plane, and tilt angle, were also considered.
Results. The analysis revealed a pronounced spatial heterogeneity of the potential icing risk across Uzbekistan. The highest values are typical of mountainous and foothill areas, as well as parts of the northern regions, whereas the risk is lower in central and southern plains and is more often associated with short-term morning frost. Based on the Iice index, a preliminary territorial classification of icing risk levels was proposed.
Conclusion. The duration of daytime subzero temperatures can be used as a screening climatic and thermal indicator of the potential icing risk on the front surface of photovoltaic modules. The proposed approach is useful for site selection, justification of module tilt angle, winter monitoring, and the development of local operating regulations. However, quantitative assessment of actual icing and energy losses requires further validation using field observations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Avezova, N.R., Raximov, E.Y., Dexkonova, M.X., Rustamova, Sh.Sh. (Muallif)