Optimising parameters for maximising the generation of electricity from photovoltaic panels in the dusty environment of the UAE

The primary objective of this research was to examine the effects of cleaning and cooling on the performance of the photovoltaic (PV) system to determine the optimal parameters mainly orientation and tilt angles in the dusty environment of the UAE region. Later, integrating IoTs with optimal orientation and tilt angles was considered to enhance the performance of the PV system. To achieve this goal, an experimental setup with PV panels equipped with and without a cleaning and cooling unit was constructed. The PV panels were configured with the three best orientations (180° south, 210°, and 240° southwest) and tilt angles typically used in the UAE region (25°, 27°, and 30°), along with three levels of dust (20, 25 and 30 g), to determine the optimal configuration for the region. In the next step, the IoTs were implemented in an optimal configuration, building on the improvements of the previous step, to further enhance the efficiency of the PV system. The PV panels with a 210° southwest orientation and a 27° tilt angle performed better, with an efficiency increase of 12.54% compared to other configurations. The integration of IoTs into the optimal configuration of the PV panels increased efficiency by 3.71%. Additionally, the IoT-enabled system reduced overall operating time by 120 seconds and increased energy production by 4%. The PV system with IoT achieved the best performance, resulting in 35% lower energy consumption than the PV system without IoT. In summary, the results of this experimental study will provide valuable insights for researchers working in solar energy in the UAE.