Enhancing photovoltaic efficiency: An in-depth systematic review and critical analysis of dust monitoring, mitigation, and cleaning techniques

Most review studies in the field of soiling and tablephotovoltaic systems primarily focus on potential methods for dust mitigation and analysis. However, a comprehensive long-term bibliometric analysis of research trends in this field remains necessary. This study focuses on a systematic and bibliometric analysis of existing literature on soiling mitigation in photovoltaic systems. The general trends in the literature are discussed, followed by four main categories of mitigation strategies. The reviewed literature is categorized into preventive measures, dust monitoring systems, active cleaning methods, and multi-criteria decision-making strategies for cleaning schedules. Preventive measures primarily focus on passive techniques for enhancing dust removal, such as self-cleaning coating. However, these strategies significantly depend on environmental factors like wind, rain intensity, and humidity, which can sometimes lead to issues like cementation or increased dust accumulation. In exploring various active cleaning methods over the past four decades, these methods are classified into four types: manual, mechanical, electromechanical, and electrostatic approaches. Integrating these methods with monitoring systems and dynamic decision-making models is crucial for economically feasible soiling mitigation. Several studies on soiling monitoring systems and decision-making for planning cleaning intervals are also discussed. This comprehensive review serves as a reference for future research on preventive cleaning, PV system monitoring, active cleaning methods, and decision-making strategies. Addressing the identified challenges will enhance the deployment and efficiency of PV systems, contributing to more sustainable energy solutions.