The Impact of Dust Deposition on PV Panels’ Efficiency and Mitigation Solutions: Review Article

Abstract

Conversion efficiency, power production, and cost of PV panels’ energy are remarkably impacted by external factors including temperature, wind, humidity, dust aggregation, and induction characteristics of the PV system such as tilt angle, altitude, and orientation. One of the prominent elements affecting PV panel performance and capability is dust. Nonetheless, dust features including size, shape, type, etc. are geologically known. Several mitigation methods have been studied for the reduction of dust concentration on the exterior face of the PV modules. The outcomes have demonstrated that dust concentration and pollutants remarkably affect the PV panel energy production. This paper reviews the recently developed research on the outcomes of the dust effect on PV panels in different locations and meets the needs of future research on this subject. Moreover, different cleaning methods that could be advantageous for future researchers in opting for the most applicable technique for dust removal are reviewed.