/solarbytes/media/media_files/2025/01/21/snTnAh6O6nitSdfrdVaL.jpg)
Research identifies 25° tilt as optimal for annual PV output, reducing power loss to 20.7% in desert conditions. Photograph: Science Direct
Recently, a study has been published by scientists from Taif University, King Abdulaziz University, and the University of Southampton. The research has explored how dust accumulation, tilt angle, and rainfall affect PV performance in desert environments. Seven pairs of PV modules installed at tilt angles from 0° to 90° in Jeddah were monitored for 12 months. Dusty modules experienced power losses of 80.4%, 75.6%, and 60.2% at 0°, 15°, and 25° tilts after 183 dry days without rain. During the rainy season, the optimal tilt was 45°, with only a 5.9% power reduction. Across the dry period and the entire year, a 25° tilt angle provided the best performance, with 28.7% and 20.7% losses, respectively. The findings have informed optimization strategies for PV performance in arid climates.