Soiling Dynamics and Cementation in Bifacial Photovoltaic Modules Under Arid Conditions: A One-Year Study in the Atacama Desert

Abel Taquichiri, Douglas Olivares (), Aitor Marzo (), Felipe Valencia, Felipe M. Galleguillos-Madrid, Martin Gaete and Edward Fuentealba
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Abel Taquichiri: Centro de Desarrollo Energético de Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
Douglas Olivares: Centro de Desarrollo Energético de Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
Aitor Marzo: Department of Optics, University of Granada, Profesor Adolfo Rancaño St, 18071 Granada, Spain
Felipe Valencia: Corporación ATAMOSTEC, Uribe 636, Oficina 302, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
Felipe M. Galleguillos-Madrid: Centro de Desarrollo Energético de Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
Martin Gaete: Centro de Desarrollo Energético de Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile
Edward Fuentealba: Centro de Desarrollo Energético de Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta 1270300, Chile

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: Soiling is one of the main performance risks for bifacial photovoltaic (PV) technology, particularly in arid environments such as the Atacama Desert, where dust is deposited asymmetrically on the front and rear surfaces of the modules. This study evaluates one year (July 2022 to June 2023) of soiling behavior in bifacial modules installed in fixed-tilt and horizontal single-axis tracking (HSAT) configurations, enabling a comparison to be made between static and moving structures. The average dust accumulation was found to be 0.33 mg/cm 2 on the front surface and 0.15 mg/cm 2 on the rear surface of the fixed modules. In contrast, the respective values for the HSAT systems were found to be lower at 0.25 mg/cm 2 and 0.035 mg/cm 2 . These differences resulted in performance losses of 5.8% for fixed modules and 3.7% for HSAT systems. Microstructural analysis revealed that wetting and drying cycles had formed dense, cemented layers on the front surface of fixed modules, whereas tracking modules exhibited looser deposits. Natural cleaning events, such as fog, dew and frost, only provided partial and temporary mitigation. These findings demonstrate that bifaciality introduces differentiated soiling dynamics between the front and rear surfaces, emphasizing the importance of tailored cleaning strategies and the integration of monitoring systems that consider bifacial gain as a key operational parameter. These insights are crucial for developing predictive models and cost-effective O&M strategies in large-scale bifacial PV deployments under desert conditions.

Keywords: soiling; bifacial photovoltaic modules; cementation; arid environments; Atacama Desert; natural cleaning events; performance losses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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