Evaluation of a Dust-Related Power Loss Sensor for Solar Farm Management

Barnaby Portelli (), Ryan D’Amato, Ivan Grech and Joseph Micallef
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Barnaby Portelli: Department of Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta
Ryan D’Amato: Department of Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta
Ivan Grech: Department of Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta
Joseph Micallef: Department of Microelectronics and Nanoelectronics, University of Malta, MSD2080 Msida, Malta

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-13

Abstract: As the adoption of solar photovoltaic systems continues to increase, the efficiency and reliability of these systems under real-world conditions become paramount. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the influence of dust deposition on PV panel performance, based on an innovative dust-related power loss sensor. A dust coefficient is defined, which gives the percentage loss in energy generation due to dust accumulation. This coefficient, obtained from the dust-related power loss sensor, was validated in this study in two ways: correlation with weather events monitored using data derived from a custom-built weather station and correlation with the outputs from an eight-panel reference system. Pairs of PV panels in this eight-panel system were subjected to four distinct cleaning schedules, and the energy generation from each pair was monitored. The results showed that the data from the dust-related power loss sensor system presented here are a reliable indicator of energy losses due to dust accumulation. The dust coefficient can thus be used as a real-time parameter that enables the creation of informed cost-effective cleaning schedules for large PV farms.

Keywords: PV monitoring; smart PV cleaning; solar farm management (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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