A master’s thesis at Al-Mussaib Technical College, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, investigated the “Impact of Dust on the Efficiency of Photovoltaic Cells Using Different Cleaning Methods.”
Conducted by Ruaa Salah Ali from the Department of Power Mechanics Engineering Technologies, the study aimed to minimize dust accumulation on solar cell surfaces, as dust is widely prevalent and negatively affects efficiency.
The thesis examined methods to reduce reflection losses to enhance the overall performance of photovoltaic cells. It also highlighted that cleaning the solar panels with distilled water not only removes dust but also lowers their temperature, improving efficiency.
The findings revealed that the third tested method achieved the highest efficiency and energy output among the examined systems. The study demonstrated that mechanical cleaning using water and a wiper was the most effective approach for dust removal, with the added benefit of water reducing the surface temperature of the cells.
Moreover, the research indicated that the mechanical vibration method yielded the highest photovoltaic efficiency and energy production.
The study recommended the adoption of mechanical cleaning techniques, incorporating structural modifications, chemical cleaning solutions, and distilled water to enhance panel efficiency. Additionally, it suggested integrating the cleaning system with photovoltaic cells and enabling remote operation for improved performance and sustainability.
