Why environmental dust influences solar energy harvesting

In order to minimize dust effects on optical surfaces related to the solar energy harvesting, adhesion between the active surface of energy harvesting device and the dust particles needs to be lowered. Consequently, the pinning force for the dust particles reduces, and the dust particles can be removed via creating the self-cleaning effect. The wetting state of the active surface becomes critical towards reducing the pinning force. In this case, hydrophobic surfaces remain favorable reducing the dust adhesion on the surfaces. In the present perspective, characteristics of the environmental dust particles and their effects in humid air ambient are presented. The methods for dust removal from the surfaces and the optical transmittance reduction by the dust particles are discussed. The challenges and future perspectives of surface texturing towards achieving hydrophobicity and optical transmittance are also introduced.