A review of the effect of dust on the performance of photovoltaic panels

In recent years, the utilization of clean renewable energies, especially solar energy, have increased dramatically due to their advantages over fossil fuels. Installation of photovoltaic systems is one of the most common methods of solar energy harvesting. The performance of these systems in converting solar energy to electricity is extensively a function of environmental conditions such as solar radiation, ambient temperature, wind, humidity, and other environmental parameters. Therefore, any changes in these parameters have a great influence on the design and performance evaluation of photovoltaic systems. Many regions with high solar potential for installation of photovoltaic panels are arid and deserted areas, in which the dust activities would significantly affect the performance of photovoltaic panels. This problem is much more serious in the climate of Iran, which is repeatedly faced with dust activities as well as aerosol dispersion. Therefore, the present study conducted a comprehensive review of the related literature in the field of the effect of dust on the performance and efficiency of solar panels. The results of the current study can serve as a thorough reference for researchers, designers, and engineers who deal with photovoltaic systems in regions struggling with dust events such as the Middle East, and in particular, Iran.