The Effect of Dust Deposition on the Performance of Solar Panels in the Conditions of the City of Dushanbe

Abstract

It is known that the deposited dust prevents the passage of sunlight and reduces the transmission coefficient of solar energy, which, in turn, affects the efficiency of solar panels. This study estimated the effect of dust particles on power losses in a photovoltaic module by measuring electrical characteristics such as voltage, current, and power under standard conditions. It is shown that at a dust density of 0.427 mg/cm², the panel performance decreases to 36%. The analysis of the effect of dust accumulation on the performance of a solar photovoltaic plant in the conditions of the city of Dushanbe showed that the non-proportional dependence of the output power of photovoltaic modules on the intensity of solar radiation in summer is a consequence of the accumulation of dust on the surface of photovoltaic modules. It is shown that in the conditions of the city of Dushanbe, during the study period of June–July 2023, three dust storms were recorded, which reduced the efficiency of solar photovoltaic power plants (SPPPs) by 22%, i.e., each dust storm led to a decrease of 7–9%. The most effective time to clean the panels is 3–4 days after a dust storm, since during this period the dust settles on the surface of the solar panels. Knowing the nature of dust deposition allows you to find possible solutions and methods for cleaning solar panels to mitigate the effects of dust.