Soiling Impact on Power Performance of CIGS and Bifacial PV: Urban and Rural Environment Analysis

This study investigates the soiling impact on photovoltaic module performance by comparing copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film and bifacial crystalline silicon technologies under different environmental conditions. Experimental measurements were conducted at SolarTech LAB, Politecnico di Milano, using portable I-V curve tracing to evaluate performance degradation under three soiling conditions: clean reference, natural urban soiling, and rough grain deposition simulating agricultural environments. The CIGS module was tested at 30° tilt while the bifacial module was evaluated in horizontal configuration, representing typical agrivoltaic installations. The findings provide essential insights for optimizing PV system design in urban and rural environments, particularly for agrivoltaic applications where agricultural activities contribute to particle deposition. The research emphasizes the importance of considering both soiling mechanisms and sitespecific conditions when selecting optimal tilt angles for bifacial PV installations to maximize energy yield while minimizing maintenance requirements.