Modares Mechanical Engineering

Modares Mechanical Engineering

Ameliorating Dust Mitigation on Solar Panels along with Drag Force Evaluation Utilizing Hybrid Coating to Repel Dust Particles from Photovoltaic Modules: An Experimental Analysis

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Pooya Hooshyar 1
Hesam Moghadasi 2
Ali Moosavi 3
Parva Hooshyar 4
1 School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of technology, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Arak University, Arak, 38156-88349, Iran.
3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University Technology, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Chemistry, Sharif University of technology, Tehran, Iran.
10.48311/mme.2025.27794
Abstract
The performance and lifespan of photovoltaic (PV) systems are significantly affected by soiling dust, and atmospheric particle accumulation which reduces light transmission and energy output, especially in arid and semi-arid climates. This study introduces a hybrid anti-soiling coating that combines passive (surface modification) and active (electrostatic repulsion) mechanisms to enhance dust resistance on PV module glass. The coating, prepared via a sol-gel process using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), zinc acetate, monoethanolamine (MEA), and aluminum nitrate, was applied through dip coating. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) imaging confirmed the presence of a thin, uniform layer suitable for light transmission and low resistivity. Optical analysis showed an average transmittance of 85.20% across 350–1000 nm wavelengths. Anti-soiling performance was assessed through repeated dust deposition and removal. Under a 50 kV/m electric field, dust removal efficiency improved steadily, with the resistance coefficient increasing from 93.0% to 97.1% over six cycles. Passive cleaning was also demonstrated through wind-based testing and image analysis, supported by drag force modeling showing effective detachment of larger particles. Simulations indicated smaller particles were less affected by airflow and needed electrostatic removal. A wind-flow simulation (5 m/s) on 60°-tilted panels tracked dust accumulation, aligning with experimental results. The hybrid coating resisted coverage loss and maintained performance over multiple cycles. This work demonstrates how combining electrostatic and surface engineered strategies can improve PV durability and self-cleaning, offering a scalable, cost-effective solution for dusty environments
Keywords
Antisoiling
Hybrid dust repulsion methods
Photovoltaic module
Soiling
Solar panels

Subjects

[1]         M.B. Hayat, D. Ali, K.C. Monyake, L. Alagha, N. Ahmed, Solar energy—A look into power generation, challenges, and a solar-powered future, Int J Energy Res 43 (2019) 1049–1067. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.4252.
[2]         M. Minaei, S. Faghiri, J. Ranjbar Kermani, A. Riahi, M. Behshad Shafii, A novel solar-driven vacuum desalination unit: Simultaneously venturi-induced self-evaporation and self-condensation with fresh water cycle, Solar Energy 282 (2024) 112889. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SOLENER.2024.112889.
[3]         P. Hooshyar, A. Moosavi, A.N. Borujerdi, Enhanced dust reduction method for solar panels application, Sci Rep 14 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-81183-7.
[4]         C. Liu, H. Li, F. Zhang, X. Wang, Improvement on the passive method based on dampers for the vibration control of spacecraft solar panels, Advances in Mechanical Engineering 14 (2022) 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1177/16878132221080596.
[5]         B. Wu, X. Cui, H. Jiang, N. Wu, C. Peng, Z. Hu, X. Liang, Y. Yan, J. Huang, D. Li, A superhydrophobic coating harvesting mechanical robustness, passive anti-icing and active de-icing performances, J Colloid Interface Sci 590 (2021) 301–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCIS.2021.01.054.
[6]         L.B. Bosman, W.D. Leon-Salas, W. Hutzel, E.A. Soto, PV system predictive maintenance: Challenges, current approaches, and opportunities, Energies (Basel) 16 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/en13061398.
[7]         G.E. Cohen, D.W. Kearney, G.J. Kolb, Final report on the operation and maintenance segs.pdf, (1999).
[8]         M. Može, V. Vajc, M. Zupančič, I. Golobič, Hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanostructured copper surfaces for efficient pool boiling heat transfer with water, water/butanol mixtures and novec 649, Nanomaterials 11 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11123216.
[9]         P. Bellmann, F. Wolfertstetter, R. Conceição, H.G. Silva, Comparative modeling of optical soiling losses for CSP and PV energy systems, Solar Energy 197 (2020) 229–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.12.045.
[10]       C.I. Calle, C.R. Buhler, M.R. Johansen, M.D. Hogue, S.J. Snyder, Active dust control and mitigation technology for lunar and Martian exploration, Acta Astronaut 69 (2011) 1082–1088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.06.010.
[11]       S. Bhaduri, M. Farkade, R. Bajhal, S. Mallick, N. Shiradkar, A. Kottantharayil, Impact of different brush designs in robotic cleaning on the degradation of anti-soiling coatings, Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (2021) 2434–2438. https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC43889.2021.9519046.
[12]       D. Helmer, N. Keller, F. Kotz, F. Stolz, C. Greiner, T.M. Nargang, K. Sachsenheimer, B.E. Rapp, Transparent, abrasion-insensitive superhydrophobic coatings for real-world applications, Sci Rep 7 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15287-8.
[13]       C. Neinhuis, W. Barthlott, Characterization and distribution of water-repellent, self-cleaning plant surfaces, Ann Bot 79 (1997) 667–677. https://doi.org/10.1006/anbo.1997.0400.
[14]       G.P. Smestad, T.A. Germer, H. Alrashidi, E.F. Fernández, S. Dey, H. Brahma, N. Sarmah, A. Ghosh, N. Sellami, I.A.I. Hassan, M. Desouky, A. Kasry, B. Pesala, S. Sundaram, F. Almonacid, K.S. Reddy, T.K. Mallick, L. Micheli, Modelling photovoltaic soiling losses through optical characterization, Sci Rep 10 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56868-z.
[15]       A. Sayyah, M.N. Horenstein, M.K. Mazumder, Mitigation of soiling losses in concentrating solar collectors, in: 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), IEEE, 2013: pp. 480–485.
[16]       L. Wang, J. Liu, C. Yang, D. Wu, A novel interval dynamic reliability computation approach for the risk evaluation of vibration active control systems based on PID controllers, Appl Math Model 92 (2021) 422–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2020.11.007.
[17]       C. Kammeyer, R. Hamilton, J. Morrison, Averting the global water crisis: three considerations for a new decade of water governance, Georgetown Journal of International Affairs 21 (2020) 105–113.
[18]       A.A. Abubakar, B.S. Yilbas, H. Al-Qahtani, A. Alzaydi, S. Alhelou, Environmental dust repelling from hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces under vibrational excitation, Sci Rep 10 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-71356-5.
[19]       R. Nitano, S. Mitsunaga, S. Yamato, K. Tanaka, H. Kanamori, M. Adachi, Cleaning performance of an electrodynamic dust shield under low-frequency vibrations, Powder Technol 457 (2025) 120845. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.POWTEC.2025.120845.
[20]       M.Z. Al-Badra, M.S. Abd-Elhady, H.A. Kandil, A novel technique for cleaning PV panels using antistatic coating with a mechanical vibrator, Energy Reports 6 (2020) 1633–1637.
[21]       M. Memiche, C. Bouzian, A. Benzahia, A. Moussi, Effects of dust, soiling, aging, and weather conditions on photovoltaic system performances in a Saharan environment—Case study in Algeria, Global Energy Interconnection 3 (2020) 60–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GLOEI.2020.03.004.
[22]       M.R. Maghami, H. Hizam, C. Gomes, M.A. Radzi, M.I. Rezadad, S. Hajighorbani, Power loss due to soiling on solar panel: A review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 59 (2016) 1307–1316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.044.
[23]       S. Bhaduri, R. Bajhal, S. Mallick, N. Shiradkar, A. Kottantharayil, Degradation of anti-soiling coatings: Mechanical impact of rainfall, Conference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference 2020-June (2020) 1098–1101. https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC45281.2020.9300414.
[24]       J. Wette, F. Sutter, A. Fernández-García, Evaluation of anti-soiling coatings for CSP reflectors under realistic outdoor conditions, Solar Energy 191 (2019) 574–584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.09.031.
[25]       J. Wette, A. Fernández-García, F. Sutter, F. Buendía-Martínez, D. Argüelles-Arízcun, I. Azpitarte, G. Pérez, Water saving in CSP plants by a novel hydrophilic anti-soiling coating for solar reflectors, Coatings 9 (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings9110739.
[26]       J. Khan, M.H. Arsalan, Solar power technologies for sustainable electricity generation–A review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 55 (2016) 414–425.
[27]       S. Mekhilef, R. Saidur, A. Safari, A review on solar energy use in industries, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 15 (2011) 1777–1790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.12.018.
[28]       D.S. Bhatkhande, V.G. Pangarkar, A.A.C.M. Beenackers, Photocatalytic degradation for environmental applications–a review, Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology: International Research in Process, Environmental & Clean Technology 77 (2002) 102–116.
[29]       A. Shaju, R. Chacko, Soiling of photovoltaic modules- Review, in: IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng, Institute of Physics Publishing, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/396/1/012050.
[30]       M. Li, Y. Li, F. Xue, X. Jing, A robust and versatile superhydrophobic coating: Wear-resistance study upon sandpaper abrasion, Appl Surf Sci 480 (2019) 738–748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.03.001.
[31]       M. Li, Y. Li, F. Xue, X. Jing, A robust and versatile superhydrophobic coating: Wear-resistance study upon sandpaper abrasion, Appl Surf Sci 480 (2019) 738–748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.03.001.
[32]       F. Su, K. Yao, Facile fabrication of superhydrophobic surface with excellent mechanical abrasion and corrosion resistance on copper substrate by a novel method, ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6 (2014) 8762–8770. https://doi.org/10.1021/am501539b.
[33]       F. Su, K. Yao, Facile fabrication of superhydrophobic surface with excellent mechanical abrasion and corrosion resistance on copper substrate by a novel method, ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6 (2014) 8762–8770. https://doi.org/10.1021/am501539b.
[34]       S. Panat, K.K. Varanasi, Electrostatic dust removal using adsorbed moisture–assisted charge induction for sustainable operation of solar panels, Sci Adv 8 (2022) eabm0078.
[35]       J. Wang, D.D. Joseph, Potential flow of a second-order fluid over a sphere or an ellipse, J Fluid Mech 511 (2004) 201–215. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112004009541.
[36]       K. Vajravelu, S. Mukhopadhyay, Flow past a sphere, Fluid Flow, Heat and Mass Transfer At Bodies of Different Shapes (2016) 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803733-1.00006-5.
                [37]         NII-Electronic Library Service, Teruo KUMAGAI, Akihide   KOBAYASHI. https://doi.org/10.1299/jsme1958.28.1925
Modares Mechanical Engineering
Volume 25, Issue 9
September 2025
Pages 567-580