Anti-dust PV modules from Astronergy show operational impact

China-based Astronergy has tested anti-dust PV modules to address dust-related energy losses in solar systems and validate performance under real-world conditions. The modules featured a unique short-edge design that directed rainwater to naturally remove accumulated dust, reducing maintenance needs and operational costs. Testing showed an average daily power gain of 3.33 percent, peaking at 6.74 percent. The modules also demonstrated enhanced durability, with less than 2 percent power degradation after undergoing combined reliability tests such as DH1000+SML, DH1000+DML, HF30+SML, UVID Sequence, and PID192. Designed for low-tilt, residential, and commercial installations, the solution helped mitigate energy losses caused by dust accumulation (2–8 g/m²), which typically reduces module efficiency by 5 to 25 percent.