An Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Dust Deposition Density and Uniformity on Photovoltaic Module Output Performance

Solar photovoltaic installations now constitute a significant portion of the global renewable energy production capacity. One of the key factors that impact the electrical output parameters of photovoltaic panels is the accumulation of dust which prevents light penetration into the solar cells. Previous studies have shown the significant impact of dust on photovoltaic output. This study aims to study the effect of dust deposition on PV panels in an indoor testing environment. The test was performed for different levels of dust density and both uniform and non-uniform dust deposition patterns. The results show significant differences in PV performance under different conditions, and uniform dust deposition results in higher power loss due to higher light prevention. Variation of power loss is also observed experimentally due to different dust densities.