Quantitative assessment of dust deposition and its solar energy system in selected sites in Oman

Dust is one of the main constraints for the future implementation of large solar power plant systems in Oman. This is mainlydue to the coupled effect of climate and ecosystem of the country. The aridity of the climate of Oman generates plenty of dust in the lower atmosphere. The abundance of dust, combined with the occurrence of fog and mist in large area of Oman, will affect the efficiency (revenue) of any solar power station. Fog and mist contribute to the adhesion of dust on the surface of the solar collectors. That calls for an experimental study to evaluate the dust deposition and its impact on solar energy systems in some selected sites in Oman. The proposed study aims at investigating the physical properties and the temporal dynamic of dust on a solar collector surface in order to develop adequate cleaning methods and periodicity of essential cleaning.

Dust is one of the main constraints for the future implementation of large solar power plant systems in Oman. This is mainlydue to the coupled effect of climate and ecosystem of the country. The aridity of the climate of Oman generates plenty of dust in the lower atmosphere. The abundance of dust, combined with the occurrence of fog and mist in large area of Oman, will affect the efficiency (revenue) of any solar power station. Fog and mist contribute to the adhesion of dust on the surface of the solar collectors. That calls for an experimental study to evaluate the dust deposition and its impact on solar energy systems in some selected sites in Oman. The proposed study aims at investigating the physical properties and the temporal dynamic of dust on a solar collector surface in order to develop adequate cleaning methods and periodicity of essential cleaning.