Insight into dust soiling characteristics and cleaning solutions to investigate impact on PV systems performance across the globe

Abstract The energy crisis we currently struggle with is an augmentation of decades of neglect and irrational exploitation of the Earth’s resources. With manifold contributing factors such as the high demand for energy, highly over-populated areas, and fossil fuel depletion, the EU has proposed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% of 1990 levels by 2030, on the ambitious road to becoming carbon neutral by 2050. Enlarging and diversifying efficient renewable resources is a crucial pillar to satisfying the overwhelming energy needs. The road to this goal is paved by the intensive implementation of solar resources, which are the most promising with their ability to cover an entire year’s energy consumption by just one hour of irradiation if almost 100% of the incoming solar energy could be converted. As widespread and evolved as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems might be, they do present a myriad of challenges in their lifetime. PV soiling is among the major bottlenecks in PV power plants due to its direct influence on both the performance and efficiency of the overall system. This work will shed light on soiling characteristics after guiding through the soiling concepts, rates, and geographical distribution probability. The nature of soiling, its composition, and its impact on the performance of PV modules with full-sized cells will be described. The essence of this review is based on the various cleaning mechanisms that aim to reduce soiling and enhance PV plant performance. This work is concluded by summarizing the review content whilst highlighting the current support and efforts put forth by worldwide organizations to embody the motivation and essence of requirements in the pursuit of soiling reduction and green energy pathways.