A Tale of Two Dusts: Mimicking Site-Specific Soiling Dynamics and Cleaning Approaches for PV Plants

Replicating and understanding site-specific soiling dynamics is crucial for optimizing PV designs and modelling, in-field soiling monitoring and cleaning strategies. This study discusses a multi-parameter testing protocol for soiling and cleaning of PV modules, under controlled conditions using dust samples from two distinct environments: the Atacama Desert and Southern France. A novel experimental setup, incorporating a soiling and cleaning chamber, was employed to replicate real-world deposition and removal processes. The impact of soiling was assessed through I-V characterization, comparing different PV module configurations. Results indicate that anti-soiling and anti-reflective coatings mitigate optical losses more effectively than standard glass covers, whereas encapsulant choice has a negligible effect in soiling-induced optical losses. Cleaning tests revealed that high brush rotation speeds with soft bristles yielded the highest efficiency (68.2%). Additionally, the study successfully simulated desert cementation processes, validating the accelerated testing methodology. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing PV maintenance strategies and enhancing module design, contributing to improved energy yield in soiling-prone regions.