The power output delivered from a photovoltaic module highly depends on the amount of irradiance, which reaches the solar cells. Many factors determine the ideal output or optimum yield in a photovoltaic module. However, the environment is one of the contributing parameters which directly affect the photovoltaic performance. The authors review and evaluate key contributions to the understanding, performance effects, and mitigation of power loss due to soiling on a solar panel. Electrical characteristics of PV (Voltage and current) are discussed with respect to shading due to soiling. Shading due to soiling is divided in two categories, namely, soft shading such as air pollution, and hard shading which occurs when a solid such as accumulated dust blocks the sunlight. The result shows that soft shading affects the current provided by the PV module, but the voltage remains the same. In hard shading, the performance of the PV module depends on whether some cells are shaded or all cells of the PV module are shaded. If some cells are shaded, then as long as the unshaded cells receive solar irradiance, there will be some output although there will be a decrease in the voltage output of the PV module. This study also present a few cleaning method to prevent from dust accumulation on the surface of solar arrays

In recent years, research communities have shown significant interest in solar energy systems and their cooling. While using cells to generate power, cooling systems are often used for solar cells (SCs) to enhance their efficiency and lifespan. However, during this conversion process, they can generate heat. This heat can affect the performance of solar cells in both advantageous and detrimental ways. Cooling cells and coordinating their use are vital to energy efficiency and longevity, which can help save energy, reduce energy costs, and achieve global emission targets. The primary objective of this review is to provide a thorough and comparative analysis of recent developments in solar cell cooling. In addition, the research discussed here reviews and compares various cooling systems that can be used to improve cell performance, including active cooling and passive cooling. The outcomes reveal that phase-change materials (PCMs) help address critical economic goals, such as reducing the cost of PV degradation, while enhancing the lifespan of solar cells and improving their efficiency, reliability, and quality. Active PCMs offer precise control, while passive PCMs are simpler and more efficient in terms of energy use, but they offer less control over temperature. Moreover, an innovative review of advanced cooling methods is presented, highlighting their potential to improve the efficiency of solar cells.