Dust On Solar Panels

A new whitepaperby solar measurement company kipp zonen explores the issue of dirty panels in terms of economic geographic and technical factors.

Dust on solar panels.

Research demonstrated a decrease in energy collected and produced when panels were blocked by dirt dust and debris as much as 25 difference in some cases. Dust is a thin layer that covers the surface of the solar array and the typical dust particles are less than 10 µm in diameter but this depends on the location and its environment. Your solar panels need to be exposed to sunlight in order to produce power. Dust is generated from many sources such as pollution by wind pedestrian volcanic eruptions and vehicular movements among many others.

Meanwhile air pollution is also a culprit. According to experts environmental pollution could reduce the amount of light that gets absorbed by your solar panels even if the system is relatively new. New solutions are necessary to maintain maximum collection. If a dust storm has covered your panels in dirt or pelicans have had a poop party on your roof then it s a pretty good idea.

Solar panels take in sunlight and material on the panels surface converts sunlight to electrons which become electricity greg explains. However unless you live somewhere with high amounts of smog dust dirt or sand blowing around solar panel cleaning is generally not necessary. Anything that blocks out the sun will reduce the amount of energy your panels produce bushfire smoke and dust storms can cause elevated particle levels in the atmosphere. On average when your solar panels get dirty expect a 5 or less change in output.

Now before you decide that you should go through dust on your panels i need to mention a couple of details. But most of the time solar panel cleaning is not worth it. Solar irradiation how much the sun did shine without clouds or stuff in the way was pretty much spot on but it was hotter on day two 33degc vs 28degc with a little bit less wind to help cool the panels. The technology involves placing a transparent electrically sensitive material.

Flat tilt array designs also trap more dust. The self dusting solar panels are based on technology developed for another dry and dusty environment mars. For instance dirt is worse in desert areas like the american southwest where the air is dry and dusty.