@misc{10481/109581,
year = {2026},
month = {2},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/109581},
abstract = {Cemented soiling on photovoltaic modules poses a critical challenge to energy yield in arid and hyper-arid
climates. Unlike loose dust, these hardened deposits form cohesive crusts that impair optical transmittance
and accelerate surface degradation. This study combines outdoor exposure in the Atacama Desert with controlled
laboratory replication to investigate the formation, evolution, and impact of cemented soiling on PV systems.
Moving beyond previous research focused on loose particles, we highlight the role of gypsum recrystallization,
quantify associated energy losses, and evaluate cleaning strategies in terms of recovery efficiency and long-term
prevention. The dual methodology, real-world exposure and accelerated testing with desert dust, enables
reproducible insights into cementation kinetics and cleaning effectiveness. Cementation began as early as day
two, forming structured gypsum crystals by day seven. Transmittance losses stabilized at  0.827 % per month,
resulting in estimated annual losses of ~98 MWh per 10 MW plant (~9.8 %). Cleaning tests showed that water-
based methods restored 99.9 % of the initial performance after one application, while dry methods restored 98.8
% but left residues that promoted recrystallization. These findings offer actionable insights to optimize cleaning
frequency and methods, supporting more efficient and sustainable PV operations in desert environments.},
organization = {MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033  RYC2021-031958-I},
organization = {European Union “NextGenerationEU/PRTR”},
organization = {ANID/FONDAP/1523A0006 “Solar Energy Research Center” SERC-Chile},
organization = {Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) 17PTECES-75830},
organization = {ANID–Fondecyt 1251918},
organization = {ECOS-ANID  C21E08},
organization = {Engineering Project 2030 Code 16ENI2-71940},
organization = {European Commission in the HORIZONINFRA- 2023-DEV-01-06 (101132182)},
organization = {Gobierno Regional de Antofagasta BIP 40067568–0},
publisher = {Elsevier},
keywords = {Photovoltaic},
keywords = {Soiling},
keywords = {Cementation},
title = {Soiling in the Atacama Desert: Impacts on solar performance and evaluation of cleaning techniques},
doi = {10.1016/J.RENENE.2025.124815},
author = {Olivares, Douglas and Montoya, Josefa and Marzo Rosa, Aitor and Soler, Denet and Llanos, Jaime and Rakotoniaina, Jean Patrice and Colin, Hervé and Tsanakas, Ioannis (John) A. and Aimé, Jérémie and Torres, Nicole and Del Campo, Valeria},
}