Dust ingredients influence on photovoltaic module performance: An experimental investigation

In this study, 16 types of dust particles were monitored in the air to determine their effects on photovoltaic (PV) performance. Dust samples were collected and analyzed, and several types of particles were detected, including carbon (C), iron(II) oxide (Fe2O3), manganese oxide (MnO2), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), chromium oxide (Cr2O3), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), calcium sulfate (CaSO4), potassium carbonate (K2CO3), dried calcium sulfate (CaSO4.2H2O), silica (SiO3), lead oxide (PbO), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and sodium chloride (NaCl). Natural dust has been added as the member number 16 in this list as a reference. A variety of variables were measured, including current and voltage, to determine how dust affects the PV performance. The investigated dust components were divided into four groups. With dust accumulation rates of 0-165 g/m2, the module's power and efficiency clearly deteriorated. In all the tests, carbon accumulation had the highest impact on the PV performance, whereas sodium chloride had the least. With a density of 165 g/m2, sodium chloride decreased efficiency by about 2.61% while carbon reduced efficiency by about 99% when it was accumulated at a density of 20.54 g/m2.