Scientists Studying Solar Try Solving a Dusty Problem
April 1, 2021
At the Outdoor Test Facility, NREL researcher Matthew Muller looks over the DUSST multi-unit soiling detector. The patented technology has nine individual soiling measurements allowing for comparison of nonuniform soiling and testing of the anti-soiling performance of different glass coatings.
Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL
The layer of dust and pollen that settles on the windshield of your car is easily removed with a turn of the lever that activates wipers and water. Removing that layer from a solar panel especially one inconveniently located from any source of moisture requires considerably more work.