Impact of small particulate deposition on solar photovoltaic (PV) module performance

The accumulation of dust and particulate pollutants on solar PV modules significantly reduces their performance efficiency. Fine particles, such as carbon, cement, and ash powder, cause more severe efficiency drops compared to coarser materials like brick powder. These pollutants obstruct light transmission and amplify thermal effects, with carbon powder and cement dust posing the greatest challenges due to their fine particle size and high solar radiation absorption capacity. Even small quantities of carbon particles result in substantial performance degradation, highlighting their critical impact. To sustain long-term efficiency, the development and implementation of effective cleaning methods and protective measures are essential for mitigating these detrimental effects.