Revealing the Hidden Benefits of Dust for Photovoltaic Performance in Hot Climates

Abstract

This study investigates the combined impact of temperature and dust on the performance of a photovoltaic (PV) system. The investigation took place during the summer of 2022 in Baghdad (33.28°N, 44.39°E), known for its extremely high temperatures. Two distinct scenarios were examined: a dusty day and a dusty panel (typically occurring after a dusty day). The research initially compared the performance of clean and dusty PV modules under severe summer conditions and later extended its analysis to the on-grid PV system of the Renewable Energy and Environment Research Center building. The results reveal that temperature predominantly reduces voltage, while dust primarily diminishes current. However, during dust storms, temperatures significantly drop below their average, potentially leading to an increase in PV output. This creates a dual effect where the negative impact of temperature is partially offset by dust because dust mitigates the ambient temperature, resulting in a relatively smaller decrease in PV output. This phenomenon is most pronounced at high temperatures. For instance, the loss ratio for a clean module was 24%, whereas for a dusty module, it was 6%, highlighting this beneficial impact of dust. However, at low and moderate temperatures, dust continues to have a detrimental effect. This finding is significant for optimizing PV system efficiency in similar environmental contexts.