Dust can cut solar panel performance by 12-15%: Study

Speakers at a discussion on Saturday highlighted the importance of controlling air pollution to help achieve the government's goal of increasing renewable energy generation, citing a study suggesting that dust accumulation can reduce solar panel performance by 12-15%.
The study, jointly conducted by Stamford University Bangladesh and Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), further stated that cleaning solar panels increases power output by an average of 12%, according to a press release.
The findings were shared at a discussion titled “Renewables Now: Renewable Energy to Combat Air Pollution”.
Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA), Stamford University Bangladesh and 35 other civic and social organisations organised the event at the Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) as part of the special campaign “Renewables Now”.
Prof Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University Bangladesh, moderated the discussion and presented the keynote paper.
Highlighting the importance of proper solar panel maintenance, Kamruzzaman made three demands, including the introduction of data-driven, robotic or AI-based automated solar panel cleaning systems at industrial facilities.
The other two demands were to accelerate the 3,000-megawatt industrial rooftop solar programme and implement the decision to fully withdraw import duties on solar equipment, and to ensure strict, real-time monitoring of pollution emissions from industrial zones and coal-fired power plants.
Dr Mosammat Mahmuda Parvin, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh, chaired the session.
Mohammad Ziaul Haque, a former director of the Department of Environment, attended the discussion as the special guest.