EFFECTS OF SAHARAN DUST OF PV SYSTEMS

A wave of dust from the Sahara desert has swept across Europe in recent weeks.

Ski resorts that looked like deserts, the skies were colored with bright shades of orange, and the air quality was five times worse than ideal conditions. They all have one thing in common: Sahara dust, which is expected to worsen in Western and Central Europe and even bring "blood rain."

A large brown swath of Saharan dust can be seen in numerous satellite images blanketing much of Portugal, Spain and France, leading to air quality concerns and hazy skies.

While experts rightly mention the danger this dust has to public health, know that it can also cause irreversible damage to your solar panels.

Effects of Saharan Dust on PV Systems

1. Less Sunlight & Cloudy Skies:?As a result of the Saharan dust at the atmosphere, there is less sunlight reaching?the ground, and therefore?temperatures can be significantly lower?than expected.
2. Performance Reduction in PV Systems:?The Saharan dust blowing?across Europe, not only annoyingly lands on garden furniture and cars, but also on the modules of PV systems – and consequently?their?performance is reduced.
3. Heavy Losses Due to Dust Deposits:?Experts assume?performance losses of up to 20%. Considering that Saharan dust events can occur between 5 and 15 times a year, this is quite a lot.
4. Degradation of PV Panels: Studies showned that?in sandstorm periods, the particle deposition density is much higher, and therefore?sand dust can be one of the main reasons of degradation of PV panels.

Solar Industry Cleaning & Maintenance Solutions

As?solar industry experts in contaminants removal agents and soiling mitigation & efficiency enhancement?products,?ChemiTek, in partnership with O&M teams and Asset managers, has developed a range of solutions specifically for solar panels cleaning and maintenance.

With 2 simple setps, ChemiTek can solve your problem for good!

1. Remediate?the problem with the correct contaminant removal agent for your case.
2. Prevent?your problem from reappearing by protecting your modules with the coating that fits into the local weather and environment conditions.

REMOVAL AGENTS

With our removal agents you will be able to clean soiling on your solar panel, such as:

• Lichens
• Cement dust
• Stone dust
• Gypsum
• Hard water
• Bird droppings
• Pollen and bees' wax
• and other

SOILING MITIGATION & EFFICIENCY ENHANCEMENT

Our soiling mitigation solutions are for:

• Antistatic protection for dry and moderate climates
• Hydrophobic protection for rainy environments

When combined with the correct contaminant removal solution and the appropriate dirt mitigation product, you will have efficiency enhancement!

Find out our news about solar panels and their maintenance here.