Seasonal Performance Analysis of Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Photovoltaic Solar Panels Under Dust Deposition in Niamey, Niger

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of dust accumulation and temperature on the performance of monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels under the climatic conditions of Niamey, Niger, with a focus on seasonal variations. Highresolution performance data were collected across the rainy, Harmattan, and hot seasons to evaluate power output losses. During the rainy season, natural cleaning by rainfall limited power and energy losses to 0.33% and 1.55% for monocrystalline, 5.98% and 6.67% for polycrystalline panels, respectively. In contrast, the Harmattan season showed the most severe reductions, with power and energy losses reaching, respectively, 66.46% and 65.55% for monocrystalline, 57.96% and 57.50% for polycrystalline, due to intense dust accumulation and atmospheric scattering. During the hot season, elevated temperatures and soiling combined to reduce performance by 54.6% and 52.31% for monocrystalline, 43.22% and 42.61% for polycrystalline, respectively. While monocrystalline panels perform better under clean conditions, they are more susceptible to environmental stressors than polycrystalline panels, which demonstrate greater resilience to dust and temperature effects. These findings highlight the importance of regular cleaning, antisoiling technologies, and climate‐adaptive PV system design to sustain performance in dusty and high‐temperature environments, such as the Sahel.