Experimental Analysis of Dust Accumulation on the Panels of a Microgrid-Connected Photovlitaic System in an Arid Climate

The increasing development of solar photovoltaic power plants has made finding effective solutions for operational challenges a crucial issue. One significant challenge faced by PV power plants is the build-up of dust and dirt on the surface of the panels. This study aims to experimentally investigate the metallurgical and morphological properties of accumulated dirt and dust on photovoltaic panels in hot and dry climates. The dust particles were analyzed using XRD and FESEM tests. The results indicate that, initially, fine dust and dirt particles are evenly distributed on the surface of the PV panel, with the most common particle size falling between 250 and 350 nm. Furthermore, the XRD test reveals that SiO
2
and CaCO
3
have higher concentrations compared to other elements in the dust sample. These findings can provide valuable information for designers and operators of microgrid-connected solar power plants located in desert areas.