# Characterisation of Dust Particles Deposited on Photovoltaic Panels in the United Arab Emirates
## 3 Results and Discussion
### Elemental Composition Analysis (Energy Dispersive Spectrometry, EDS)  
Table 2 presents the relative elemental composition of the samples collected from the Solar Park.  
The analysis conducted on these samples revealed an intriguing combination of uniformity and variation. However, the EDS analysis confirms the XRD findings. Table 3 below explains the origin of the elements present in the dust particles.  
Across all the samples, there was a certain degree of consistency in the presence of elements, suggesting common sources or mechanisms contributing to the dust accumulation on the PV panel surfaces. However, upon closer examination, it became evident that the compositional contribution of each element exhibited significant deviations across the samples. This phenomenon raises important questions about the underlying factors that influence the formation of distinct compositions on the PV panels.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Sample** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**GS-10 (\%)**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**GT-10 (\%)**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**R-10 (\%)**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**S-10 (\%)**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**T-10 (\%)**} \\
**Element** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Mass Atom**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Mass Atom**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Mass Atom**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Mass Atom**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Mass Atom**} \\ \hline Ca & 9.32 & 3.8 & 7.52 & 3 & 15.59 & 7.55 & 12.59 & 5.91 & 13.61 & 6.3 \\ \hline Si & 10 & 5.95 & 8.57 & 4.88 & 10.64 & 7.35 &  
Interestingly, among the observed elements, one element, namely chlorine (Cl) was found to be additionally present in certain samples. The detection of this element in specific samples further underscores the notion of pronounced variation across the different sites within the PV facility. The presence of Cl could be attributed to diverse environmental factors, such as air pollution, industrial emissions, and local geological characteristics, influencing the dust composition in specific areas. The elements appearing in EDS are also being detected in XRD peaks as shown above in Table 3. It is crucial to note that the non-detection of certain elements, such as Cl and Na, by XRD can be attributed to their low concentration. This phenomenon results in a diminished intensity of the detected peaks associated with chlorine components, thereby underscoring the analytical sensitivity of the XRD method in discerning elements at lower concentrations. In the study by [22] conducted in South Africa, the EDS analysis showed oxygen and silicon as predominant elements in dust collected from the PV panel surface, which shows the diversity in the dust elements based on the geographical location.  
Understanding the implications of these variations in elemental composition is of paramount importance as it can have a significant impact on the performance and maintenance of PV panels. Some elements may interact with the surface coatings or framing of PV panels, potentially affecting their durability or efficiency. Moreover, the variations in composition may also influence the adherence of dust particles to the panel surfaces and, consequently, deter certain cleaning/self-cleaning mechanisms.