Dust Accumulation, Tilt Angle and Shading Level in Optimizing Energy Harvesting Using MATLAB Simulation for Single Diode Model Solar Cell

This work investigates the important factors that can assist in optimizing solar cell efficiency for better energy harvesting. The efficiency of solar panels is closely linked to several important factors, each presenting its own set of challenges. These include dust buildup, the angle at which the panels are tilted and various types of shading. Addressing these issues is crucial for achieving optimal performance. Therefore, this work focuses on the impact of dust accumulation (ranging from 0% to 90^%), the angle at which the panels are tilted (from 0° to 60°) and different shading levels (0%, 10%, 30%, 60% and 90%). These elements were analyzed through MATLAB simulations based on a single diode model solar cell. The findings show that dust buildup significantly reduces the efficiency of solar panels. In other words, adjusting the tilt angle, depending on the location, can significantly enhance the efficiency of using the single diode model. However, the model is particularly sensitive to the shading level, which greatly reduces efficiency.