Soiling, the accumulation of dust, dirt, and particles on solar panels, blocks sunlight and reduces energy output by up to 20% or more, especially in dusty or low-rainfall regions. Desert areas face annual losses of 10% to 40%, while moderately polluted regions see reductions of 2% to 5%. Mitigation strategies are divided into passive and active approaches. Passive methods include hydrophobic or anti-reflective coatings, which reduce soiling losses by 15% to 30%, and optimizing panel tilt to encourage natural dust runoff during rain. Active methods involve external interventions such as robotic cleaning, water-based systems, or electrostatic repulsion. Robotic cleaners, widely used in solar farms, can cut soiling losses by up to 95% without water, making them ideal for arid regions. Electrostatic systems, still in development, achieve up to 90% efficiency by repelling dust without contact, water, or moving parts. Combining passive and active methods helps optimize energy output and extend the lifespan of solar panels in dusty environments. This study presents a novel coating that integrates electrostatic dust repulsion with passive mitigation for a comprehensive solution to soiling challenges.
