Soiling and Dust Deposition on Solar Panels - Technical Review

Technologies related to the utilization of solar radiation have undergone serious development in the last decades. However, several factors influence the performance of solar modules, independent of the technology used. Environmental parameters such as temperature, relative air humidity, and degree of air pollution could be significant. The purity of the atmospheric air is determined using the so-called Linke turbidity factor (LTF) and is evaluated on a global basis. As a result of several activities, however, including enterprise activities, commercial activities, transport, etc., the concentration of dust particles can increase many times, leading to a more intensive and permanent accumulation of dust on the panels' surface and significantly reducing their efficiency. In the present work, a critical analysis is made of the factors that have a significant impact on the Soiling and Dust deposition on solar panels. As such, outside air temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, concentration of dust in the air, tilt of the panel relative to the horizon, etc. can be specified.