Effects of Dust Grain Size and Density on the Monocrystalline PV Output Power
Ghadeer Al-Shabaan, Wael Abu Shehab, Amir Abu-Al-Aish, Wael Al-Sawalmeh, Mou’ath Al-Shaweesh

Abstract
An important part of the Jordanian government strategy to overcome the energy challenge is to diverse to renewable sources, such as photovoltaic (PV) solar power. In this context, many projects have been initiated by both government and private sector. The southern part of the country has an outstanding potential for such projects. This study investigates the most suitable location for PV solar power station located in Al-Hussein Bin Talal University (AHU). In this study, the performance of Mono crystalline PV panels was evaluated, and the influence of dust grain size and mass deposition density (g/m2) on the maximum output power point (PMAX) was yielded. The dust samples were collected from three different locations at AHU, and then tested in the laboratory under steady conditions. The deposited dusts were adhered to PV panels’ surfaces, which in turn; reduced the amount of solar radiation that reaching PV panels and decreasing the panels’ efficiency significantly.

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