Photovoltaic (PV) Dust Monitor Quantifies Power Generation Losses Due to Soiling Using OMBP Technology

The PV dust monitor utilizes "Blue-Light Pollutant Closed-Loop Measurement" (OMBP) technology. Designed for both new and existing PV arrays, it integrates with power plant management systems to monitor surface soiling in real time, calculate resulting power generation losses, and assist operations and maintenance (O&M) personnel in scheduling cleaning—thereby consistently improving the efficiency of PV power plants.

By employing blue-light pollutant closed-loop measurement, the device—mounted directly onto the PV module frame—continuously captures light transmission losses caused by pollutants on the glass surface. It then converts these data into the attenuation value of sunlight reaching the PV modules. The device can be seamlessly integrated into existing power plant management systems; it is easily retrofitted onto both new installations and operational plants, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including utility-scale ground-mounted plants and distributed rooftop PV systems.

The monitor continuously calculates pollutant-related parameters, translating the extent of soiling into intuitive data on power generation losses. This allows O&M staff to determine whether soiling levels have reached a critical threshold for cleaning, replacing subjective visual inspections with data-driven decision-making. This helps avoid unnecessary cleaning and effectively controls O&M costs. The device contains no complex or fragile components, requiring virtually no independent maintenance—it can simply be cleaned whenever the surrounding PV modules are being cleaned, thereby reducing the long-term O&M burden.

Equipped with a high-sensitivity sensor module and a dust-resistant structural design, the PV dust monitor delivers stable data even in harsh outdoor environments characterized by high dust levels and significant temperature fluctuations. It supports both real-time monitoring and remote data retrieval. As an auxiliary monitoring tool for PV power plants, the system continuously tracks the cleanliness of PV modules. When cleanliness falls below a pre-set threshold, it issues an alert, enabling timely cleaning. This mitigates power losses caused by soiling, boosts energy yield, slows down module degradation, and extends the overall service life of the PV system.