Experimental investigation of power losses in PV panels soiling and designing an affordable cleaning solution

This study investigates the impact of soiling on the power output of photovoltaic (PV) panels and presents a cost-effective cleaning solution to mitigate this issue.Conducted in the semi-arid coastal environment of Karachi, Pakistan, the research focuses on both polycrystalline and monocrystalline PV panels.Results indicate that soiling significantly reduces power output, with clean panels generating 7.8% to 15.6% more power than their dirty counterparts.A novel wiper-based cleaning system, designed using locally sourced materials, was tested and proved effective in restoring the panels' efficiency.The economic analysis suggests a payback period of less than two years for this cleaning system.The study provides practical recommendations for PV panel maintenance and highlights potential areas for future research.