Aim and Methodology

Outputs

• Á. Fernández Solas, N. Riedel-Lyngskær, N. Hanrieder, F. Norde Santos, S. Wilbert, H. Nygard Riise, J. Polo, E.F. Fernández, F. Almonacid, D.L. Talavera, L. Micheli, Photovoltaic soiling loss in Europe: Geographical distribution and cleaning recommendations, Renew. Energy 239 (2025) 122086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.122086.

• L. Micheli, F.A. Sepúlveda-Vélez, D.L. Talavera, Impact of variable economic conditions on the cost of energy and the economic viability of floating photovoltaics, Heliyon (2024) e32354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32354.

• L. Micheli, M. Muller, M. Theristis, G.P. Smestad, F. Almonacid, E.F. Fernandez, Quantifying the impact of inverter clipping on photovoltaic performance and soiling losses, Renew. Energy (2024) 120317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.120317.

• E. Mouhib, Á. Fernández-Solas, P.J. Pérez-Higueras, A.M. Fernández-Ocaña, L. Micheli, F. Almonacid, E.F. Fernández, Enhancing land use: Integrating bifacial PV and olive trees in agrivoltaic systems, Appl. Energy 359 (2024) 122660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.122660.

• L. Micheli, F. Almonacid, J.G. Bessa, Á. Fernández-Solas, E.F. Fernández, The impact of extreme dust storms on the national photovoltaic energy supply, Sustain. Energy Technol. Assessments. 62 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2024.103607.

• P. Borah, L. Micheli, N. Sarmah, Analysis of Soiling Loss in Photovoltaic Modules: A Review of the Impact of Atmospheric Parameters , Soil Properties , and Mitigation Approaches, Sustainability. 15 (2023). https://doi.org/doi.org/10.3390/su152416669.

• L. Micheli, G.P. Smestad, M. Zahid Khan, K. Lange, H.M.I. Almughary, M. Abraim, Y. Alamat, C.B. Anderson, S. Bentouba, B. Figgis, P. Fuke, A.A. Hachicha, M. Karim, A. Kottantharayil, A.A. Martinez-Morales, A.A. Merrouni, D. Olivares, G. Picotti, J. Rabanal-Arabach, F. Wiesinger, K. Ilse, Soiling in Solar Energy Systems: The Role of the Thresholding Method in Image Analysis, Sol. RRL. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/solr.202300654.

• J.G. Bessa, M. Valerino, M. Muller, M. Bergin, L. Micheli, F. Almonacid, E.F. Fernández, An Investigation on the Pollen-Induced Soiling Losses in Utility-Scale PV Plants, IEEE J. Photovoltaics. (2023) 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPHOTOV.2023.3326560.

• G.M. Tina, F. Bontempo, L. Micheli, M. Rosa-clot, Energy for Sustainable Development Economic comparison of floating photovoltaic systems with tracking systems and active cooling in a Mediterranean water basin, Energy Sustain. Dev. 76 (2023) 101283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2023.101283.

• M. Theristis, N. Riedel‐Lyngskær, J.S. Stein, L. Deville, L. Micheli, A. Driesse, W.B. Hobbs, S. Ovaitt, R. Daxini, D. Barrie, M. Campanelli, H. Hodges, J.R. Ledesma, I. Lokhat, B. McCormick, B. Meng, B. Miller, R. Motta, E. Noirault, M. Parker, J. Polo, D. Powell, R. Moretón, M. Prilliman, S. Ransome, M. Schneider, B. Schnierer, B. Tian, F. Warner, R. Williams, B. Wittmer, C. Zhao, Blind photovoltaic modeling intercomparison: A multidimensional data analysis and lessons learned, Prog. Photovoltaics Res. Appl. (2023) 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/pip.3729.

• G.P. Smestad, C. Anderson, M.E. Cholette, P. Fuke, A. Amine, A. Kottantharayil, K. Ilse, M. Karim, Z. Khan, H. Merkle, D.C. Miller, J.M. Newkirk, G. Picotti, F. Wiesinger, G. Willers, L. Micheli, Variability and associated uncertainty in image analysis for soiling characterization in solar energy systems, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells. 259 (2023) 112437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2023.112437.

• L. Araujo Costa Silva, L.G. Baca Ruiz, D. Criado-Ramón, J. Gabriel Bessa, L. Micheli, M. del C. Pegalajar Jiménez, Assessing the impact of soiling on photovoltaic efficiency using supervised learning techniques, Expert Syst. Appl. 231 (2023) 120816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2023.120816

• L. Micheli, D.L. Talavera, Economic feasibility of floating photovoltaic power plants: Profitability and competitiveness, Renew. Energy. 211 (2023) 607–616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.05.011

• L. Micheli, M. Muller, On the Uncertainty of Estimating Photovoltaic Soiling Using Nearby Soiling Data, E-Prime - Adv. Electr. Eng. Electron. Energy. 3 (2023) 100120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prime.2023.100120.

• H. Brahma, S. Pant, L. Micheli, G.P. Smestad, N. Sarmah, Effect of Environmental Factors on Photovoltaic Soiling : Experimental and Statistical Analysis, Energies. 16 (2023) 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010045

• E. Mouhib, L. Micheli, F.M. Almonacid, E.F. Fernández, Overview of the Fundamentals and Applications of Bifacial Photovoltaic Technology: Agrivoltaics and Aquavoltaics, Energies. 15 (2022) 8777. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15238777.

• F. Piancó, L. Moraes, I. dos Prazeres, A.G.G. Lima, J.G. Bessa, L. Micheli, E. Fernández, F. Almonacid, Hydroelectric operation for hybridization with a floating photovoltaic plant: A case of study, Renew. Energy. 201 (2022) 85–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.10.077.

• E. Mouhib, P.M. Rodrigo, L. Micheli, E.F. Fernández, F. Almonacid, Quantifying the rear and front long-term spectral impact on bifacial photovoltaic modules, Sol. Energy. 247 (2022) 202–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.10.035.

• L. Micheli, M. Theristis, D.L. Talavera, G. Nofuentes, J.S. Stein, F. Almonacid, E.F. Fernández, The economic value of photovoltaic performance loss mitigation in electricity spot markets, Renew. Energy. 199 (2022) 486–497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.08.149.

• G. Di Lorenzo, E. Stracqualursi, L. Micheli, S. Celozzi, R. Araneo, Prognostic Methods for Photovoltaic Systems’ Underperformance and Degradation: Status, Perspectives, and Challenges, Energies. 15 (2022) 6413. https://doi.org/doi.org/10.3390/en15176413.

• L. Micheli, D.L. Talavera, G. Marco Tina, F. Almonacid, E.F. Fernández, Techno-economic potential and perspectives of floating photovoltaics in Europe, Sol. Energy. 243 (2022) 203–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.07.042.

• L. Micheli, The temperature of floating photovoltaics: Case studies, models and recent findings, Sol. Energy. 242 (2022) 234–245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.06.039.

• Á. Fernández-Solas, L. Micheli, F. Almonacid, E.F. Fernández, Indoor validation of a multiwavelength measurement approach to estimate soiling losses in photovoltaic modules, Sol. Energy. 241 (2022) 584–591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.06.036.

Awards

• December 11, 2024: Solar Energy Journal Award for the System Integration subject area, for the following publication: L. Micheli, D.L. Talavera, G. Marco Tina, F. Almonacid, E.F. Fernández, Techno-economic potential and perspectives of floating photovoltaics in Europe, Sol. Energy. 243 (2022) 203–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2022.07.042. [News]

• September 22, 2023: Best visual presentation in the thematic area of “PV in the Energy Transition” at 40th EU PVSEC. [News]

Events

• November 14, 2024, Oral Presentation: "Floating Photovoltaics under Variable Economic Conditions: Viability and Potential Support Mechanisms", 35th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference (PVSEC-35), Numazu, Japan

• November 12, 2024, Oral Presentation [invited]: "Dust and sand storms: risks and recommendations for monitoring and mitigation", IEA PVPS Workshop on Extreme Weather Impacts on PV system Reliability, 35th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference (PVSEC-35), Numazu, Japan

• October 3, 2024, Oral Presentation [invited]: "Soiling of Photovoltaic Systems in the Era of High PV Penetration: Impact and Mitigation Strategies", Solar Applications For Environment, Palermo, Italy

• September 27, 2024, Oral Presentation: "Impact and Frequency of Extreme Weather Events on the National Photovoltaic Power Supply", 41st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC), Vienna, Austria

• September 26, 2024, Oral Presentation: "Social Acceptance of Floating Photovoltaics: from the General to the Local Perspective", 41st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC), Vienna, Austria

• September 23, 2024, Oral Presentation: "Modelling Performance and Maximum Allowed Costs for Anti-Soiling Coatings in Europe", 41st European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC), Vienna, Austria

• July 24, 2024, Seminar: "Optimisation of module/system design for specific climatic or environmental conditions", Fraunhofer CSP, Halle, Germany

• June 14, 2024, Oral Presentation: "Towards Economically Viable Anti-Soiling Coatings: a Target Costing Analysis", 52nd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Seattle, WA, USA

• June 13, 2024, Oral Presentation: "Riding the wave of floating photovoltaics: a public perception study", 52nd IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Seattle, WA, USA

• June 6, 2024, Seminar: "From particles to dust storms: micro- and macro-scale effects of soiling on solar energy", Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, USA

• January 17, 2024, Oral Presentation [invited]: "Needed and Cost-Effective: Exploring the Techno-Economic Perspectives of Floating Photovoltaics", 6th Photovoltaic Technology and Innovation Centre Webinar, India, Virtual

• December 4, 2023, Oral Presentation [invited]: "Floating Photovoltaics", Máster Universitario en Ingeniería de los Sistemas Fotovoltaicos, University of Jaén, Spain, Virtual

• October 26, 2023, Oral presentation [invited]: "Methods for mapping soiling and associated challenges", IEA PVPS Task 13 - 16 Joint Meeting, IEA PVPS Whole-of-Programme, Adelaide, Australia

• September 21, 2023, Poster presentation: "Incentives and Disincentives for Floating Photovoltaics in Europe: A Sensitivity Analysis", 40th EU PVSEC 2023, Lisbon, Portugal [Best Visual Presentation in "PV in the Energy Transition" Area]

• September 20, 2023, Oral presentation [invited]: "Impact of Extreme Dust Events on PV Performance", Optimizing PV production in desert environments, 40th EU PVSEC 2023, Lisbon, Portugal

• September 18, 2023, Oral presentation: "The Accuracy of PV Soiling Estimation through Image Analysis: Results of an International Round Robin", 40th EU PVSEC 2023, Lisbon, Portugal

• June 23, 2023, Oral presentation: "Yield Potential, Cost Effectiveness, and Profitability of Floating Photovoltaics in Europe: Advancing Towards 2030 Energy Goals", 1st ReteIFV Conference, Milan, Italy

• June 14, 2023, Oral presentation [invited]: "Floating Photovoltaics:  turning a necessity into an opportunity", Special Session: 100% Renewable Energy, 50th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), San Juan, Puerto Rico

• June 12, 2023, Oral presentation: "Analysis of the key factors influencing the economic competitiveness and profitability of floating photovoltaics", 50th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), San Juan, Puerto Rico

• June 9, 2023, Oral presentation: "Monitoring and modelling photovoltaic soiling in an urban environment", 23rd International Conference on Environment and Electrical Engineering (EEEIC), Madrid, Spain

• May 24, 2023, Oral presentation [invited]: "Novel solutions and loss mitigation strategies for a more sustainable photovoltaics", Master en Renewable Energy, University of Jaén, Spain (Virtual)

• May 15, 2023, Oral presentation: "From land to water: opportunities and challenges for floating photovoltaic applications", COST CA 20109 – Strategic Workshop on "Energy Islands – Technical Challenges and Industrial Opportunities ", University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg 

• April 21, 2023, Oral presentation [invited]: "The economic feasibility of floating photovoltaic power plants across Europe", 13th SOPHIA PV-Module Reliability Workshop, Ispra, Italy

• April 14, 2023, Oral presentation [invited]: "Advances in simulation and mitigation of photovoltaic soiling", Ms/PhD research seminar series, Virtual Learning University, Virtual

• March 24, 2023, Oral presentation [invited]: "Solar Energy in a Sustainable World: status, perspectives and challenges of photovoltaics", Opening Cerimony of Rome International Model United Nations (RIMUN), Rome, Italy

• December 5, 2022, Oral Presentation [invited] (in Spanish): "Fotovoltaica flotante: el nuevo horizonte de la energía solar", Máster Universitario en Ingeniería de los Sistemas Fotovoltaicos, University of Jaén, Spain, Virtual

• December 1, 2022, Oral Presentation [invited]: "Profitable Soiling Mitigation in Photovoltaic Plants through Cleaning Optimization", 14th International Forum of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Jaén, Spain, Virtual

• November 3, 2022, Oral Presentation [invited]: "Photovoltaics in the electricity spot markets: economic variability and impact on loss mitigation strategies", Solar Energy Research at UT Symposium, Enschede, Netherlands

• September 29, 2022, Oral Presentation [invited]: "Non-uniform soiling of utility-scale PV power plants", PV productivity challenges and solutions in desert environments, 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Milan, Italy

• September 29, 2022, Poster Presentation: "The Economics of Photovoltaic Performance and Loss Mitigation in Electricity Spot Markets ", 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Milan, Italy

• September 26, 2022, Oral Presentation: "Floating Photovoltaics in Europe: Techno-Economic Analysis and Perspectives", 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Milan, Italy

• September 26, 2022, Oral Presentation [plenary, co-author]: "International Photovoltaic Modeling Intercomparison" (Presenter: Marios Theristis), 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Milan, Italy

• September 20, 2022, Oral Presentation [invited, co-author]: "Progress in Solar Energy to Address the Energy Crisis" (Presenter: Greg P. Smestad), International Conference and Exhibition on Renewables, Istanbul, Turkey

• June 30, 2022, Oral Presentation [invited]: "Techno-economic potential of floating photovoltaics and the impact of its operating temperature", 12th SOPHIA PV-Module Reliability Workshop, EPFL Neuchâtel, Switzerland

• June 9, 2022, Oral Presentation: "Potential Capacity and Targeted Costs for Floating Photovoltaics in North America", 49th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Philadelphia, PA, USA

• June 9, 2022, Poster Presentation: "Results of Environmental-Based PV Soiling Models after Extreme Dust Events: The Case of Saharan Dust Intrusions in Southern Spain", 49th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC), Philadelphia, PA, USA

• June 7, 2022, Oral presentation [invited]: "Photovoltaic Soiling Modelling and Mitigation: Estimation and Cleaning Optimization", Solaire Expo Maroc 2022, Virtual

• May 11, 2022, Talk at Public Dissemination Event: "Make Clean Energy Cleaner: Towards a more sustainable photovoltaics", Pint of Science Kiel, Kiel, Germany

• March 15, 2022, Oral presentation [invited]: "Optimization and Economics of Large-Scale Photovoltaic Soiling Loss Mitigation", 2nd Annual Solar and Wind Power Conference, Virtual [PDF]

• March 14, 2022, Oral presentation: "Sole4PV: towards the Optimization of Soiling Loss Mitigation for Large-Scale Photovoltaics", PEARL PV Conference, Virtual

Media

• December 11, 2024, Article: "Researchers complete Europe’s first PV soiling loss assessment", by Lior Kahana, pv magazine [EN]

• September 3, 2024, Article: "Assessing floating PV costs across Europe", by Lior Kahana, pv magazine [EN, IT]

• June 18, 2024, Article: "How is Saharan dust impacting solar power?", by Jeremy Wilks, euronews [EN]

• March 22, 2024, Article: "Inverter undersizing not universally effective to reduce soiling losses", by Emiliano Bellini, pv magazine [EN, USA, IN]

• February 20, 2024, Article: "Bifacial agrivoltaics for olive groves", by Lior Kahana, pv magazine [EN]

• January 11, 2024, Article: "Un estudio ha calculado el impacto de las tormentas de polvo en la generación fotovoltaica a gran escala en España", by Pilar Sanchez Molina, pv magazine [ES]

• January 9, 2024, Article: "Rain insufficient for removing tree pollen from solar panels", by John Fitzgerald Weaver, pv magazine [EN, USA]

• January 2, 2024, Article: "Researchers apply thresholding to PV soiling image analysis", by Lior Kahana, pv magazine [EN]

• August 23, 2023, Article: "Floating PV plant operators may achieve additional revenue through non-evaporated water", by Bernadette Geyer, pv magazine [EN]

• December, 2022, Interview (in Italian): "sii un rita levi", by Annalisa De Angelis, Giulia Donatiello, Sofia Gaudioso e Mattia La Torre, StaR [Web]

• November 29, 2022, Article: "Floating solar cost-competitive with ground-mounted PV in southern Europe", by Beatriz Santos, pv magazine [EN, FR]

• April 13, 2022, Interview (in Italian): "Pulizia del fotovoltaico: mantenere gli impianti puliti conviene e la tecnologia aiuta", by Andrea Ballocchi, InfoBuildEnergia [Web]