TY - GEN
T1 - Structural and physical properties of the dust particles in Qatar and their influence on the PV panel performance
AU - Elsafi, Alaa
AU - Aïssa, Brahim
AU - Isaifan, Rima J.
AU - Abdallah, Amir A.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 IEEE.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - Dust accumulation poses significant challenges to the performance of photovoltaic (PV) panels, particularly in desert environments such as Qatar. This study investigates the structural and physical properties of dust particles collected from PV modules installed at the Solar Test Facility in Doha. Advanced characterization techniques, including SEM, XRD, EDS, AFM, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR, were employed to analyze the samples. The findings reveal that the dust primarily consists of calcite (58%), along with smaller amounts of quartz, olivine, and other minerals. Optical analysis demonstrated a 26% reduction in transmittance due to dust accumulation. Additionally, IV curve measurements showed a 38% increase in short-circuit current (Isc) and a 28% increase in total power output after cleaning. This work highlights the importance of understanding dust properties for developing effective mitigation techniques and optimizing PV performance in desert climates.
AB - Dust accumulation poses significant challenges to the performance of photovoltaic (PV) panels, particularly in desert environments such as Qatar. This study investigates the structural and physical properties of dust particles collected from PV modules installed at the Solar Test Facility in Doha. Advanced characterization techniques, including SEM, XRD, EDS, AFM, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR, were employed to analyze the samples. The findings reveal that the dust primarily consists of calcite (58%), along with smaller amounts of quartz, olivine, and other minerals. Optical analysis demonstrated a 26% reduction in transmittance due to dust accumulation. Additionally, IV curve measurements showed a 38% increase in short-circuit current (Isc) and a 28% increase in total power output after cleaning. This work highlights the importance of understanding dust properties for developing effective mitigation techniques and optimizing PV performance in desert climates.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105016113631
U2 - 10.1109/PVSC59419.2025.11133313
DO - 10.1109/PVSC59419.2025.11133313
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:105016113631
T3 - Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
SP - 267
EP - 269
BT - 2025 IEEE 53rd Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2025
PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
T2 - 53rd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, PVSC 2025
Y2 - 8 June 2025 through 13 June 2025
ER -