The power generation of photovoltaic (PV) power plants is influenced by various external factors, with dust accumulation being the most prominent. Sandstorms, dust, air pollution, and vehicle movement can all lead to dust buildup on the surface of P

So, how significant is the impact of soiling loss? Let’s take a closer look!

Does soiling loss only reduce power generation?

Of course not. Soiling loss hides multiple potential safety hazards:  

 - Impaired Heat Dissipation**: Dust accumulation increases thermal resistance, and for every 1°C rise in temperature, the module's output power may decrease by 0.5%.  

 - Hot Spot Effect: Localized shading can cause overheating, potentially damaging the solar panels and posing safety risks.  

 - Chemical Corrosion: In certain regions, dust may have corrosive properties, which can erode the surface of the modules and affect their lifespan.  

Do PV power plants worldwide suffer from soiling loss?

Soiling loss is a common challenge for PV power plants globally, but its severity varies significantly depending on the intensity of solar radiation and the distribution of global dust belts.

The most critical issue is that regions with high PV power generation potential are often the ones most susceptible to soiling loss.

As shown in Figure 1, which depicts the global photovoltaic (PV) power generation potential, regions such as North Africa, the Middle East, Western China, the Southwestern United States, Mexico, Southern Europe, Australia, and the eastern and western coasts of South America possess the world's best solar radiation intensity and sunlight duration. These areas have become the primary development zones for large-scale PV projects.

Figure 2, the global dust sensitivity distribution map, illustrates the intensity of sandstorms across different regions. The dark areas in both figures overlap significantly, indicating that the regions most suitable for large-scale solar power plants are also more prone to dust pollution. These areas require more frequent cleaning and, compared to other regions, face harsher conditions such as high temperatures and water scarcity.

How much can soiling loss reduce power generation?

According to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2018, power generation losses due to dust accounted for at least 3% to 4% of the annual photovoltaic power generation, equivalent to economic losses of 3 to 5 billion euros. By 2023, these losses are projected to rise to 4% to 5%, amounting to 4 to 7 billion euros.

 On one hand, as the number of photovoltaic (PV) power plants increases and their operational time extends, the issue of soiling loss becomes more pronounced, leading to greater economic losses. Moreover, with the continuous breakthroughs in PV module conversion efficiency in recent years, higher power generation efficiency also means that the impact of dust accumulation becomes more significant.

On the other hand, while global electricity purchase prices have been declining, the cost of manual module cleaning has been rising. According to IEA statistics, the annual cost of manually cleaning 1 MW of modules in India can be as high as 1,000 euros, further reducing the willingness to clean power plants and exacerbating dust accumulation.

A More Reliable, Economical, and Hassle-Free Solution

Addressing the challenge of soiling loss is urgent. Practice has shown that the operation and maintenance of large-scale PV power plants are daunting tasks. Traditional manual cleaning methods are costly, labor-intensive, water-consuming, and pose safety risks. PV intelligent cleaning robots offer an efficient and economical solution.

Sanjmec PV cleaning robots can intelligently integrate with meteorological data and, through remote automatic control, achieve unattended operation. They perform waterless cleaning tasks around the clock, significantly reducing operational difficulty and risks. Currently, Sanjmec PV cleaning robots have been successfully deployed in PV power plants across 14 countries and regions, including China, the Middle East, and India, effectively helping to tackle soiling loss and enhance power generation.