What is soiling analysis in solar panels?

It quantifies energy loss from dust/debris by comparing pre- and post-clean efficiency, often 2-5% annually per NREL data.

Is this soiling tool free?

Yes, fully free online with browser-based calculations and no data collection.

Free Online Soiling Analysis Tool

Soiling analysis measures how dust and debris on solar panels reduce energy generation. This calculator helps you determine the impact of cleaning the panels and compare their efficiency before and after cleaning. Use this tool by entering the following values:

Plant Area (m²): Enter the total area covered by the installed PV modules.
Module Efficiency (%): Enter the nameplate (rated) efficiency of your solar modules.
Pre-Sample Data: Enter the instantaneous DC power (kW) and irradiance (W/m²) measured before cleaning the solar modules.
Post-Sample Data: Enter the instantaneous DC power (kW) and irradiance (W/m²) measured after cleaning the solar modules.

Note: For more accurate results, consider entering 12 or more samples.

By comparing the pre-clean and post-clean values, this tool calculates the drop in efficiency due to soiling. Accurate input improves the reliability of the analysis.