Dust Effect on Photovoltaic Output Performance: Comparative Analysis and A Case Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The electricity generation from the large-scale grid-connected solar photovoltaic system expands in Bangladesh in the last decades. The performance of PV modules declines with the external environmental factors, especially power loss due to dust. Being one of the most polluted aircontaining countries, mitigation of dust effect is a challenge for Bangladesh. In this paper, an analysis of dust impact on the performance of PV module in tropical weather countries is compared. Then, a case has been investigated with two small PV systems at Savar, Dhaka. The first PV system was cleaned three times a day, whereas the second one was cleaned after three days. The overall 3% reduction of output power and module efficiency is found for the system, which is cleaned after three days. Furthermore, maximum power is reduced in the afternoon (4.00 PM) in a day. It concludes with the recommendation that; Bangladesh needs to take inclusive dust mitigation strategies for the substantial development in PV systems.