Characteristics, Compositions, and Effects of Dust Accumulated on PV Panels in Tropical Agricultural Area

Tropical countries in Southeast Asia, e.g., Thailand, are agricultural countries where rice, sugar, and cassava are significant exports. Rice, sugar cane, and cassava production entails agricultural activities that produce substantial airborne dust. The sampling analysis of dust characteristics from 11 PV power plants was done. The aim of this research is to investigate the characteristics and distribution of dust at various PV power plants in agricultural regions, with the goal of understanding how different types of dust impact the optical transmission and efficiency of PV systems. By analyzing dust composition, size, and shape, this study seeks to provide insights that can inform maintenance strategies and improve energy output in dusty environments, particularly in tropical agricultural areas.