Soiling Loss Calculator
Estimate energy losses from dirt, dust, and debris on solar panels.
Soiling Loss Factors
Base Loss = Environment soiling rate
Tilt Factor = (90 - tilt) / 90 (flatter = more soiling)
Rain Factor = min(1, 60 / rainfall)
Effective = Base x Tilt Factor x Rain Factor
Typical Soiling Rates by Region
| Region/Climate | Soiling Rate | Cleaning Need |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest | 0.5-1% | Rain cleans |
| Midwest/East | 1-2% | Annual |
| Southwest | 3-5% | 2-4x/year |
| Desert (AZ, NV) | 5-10% | Monthly |
| Coastal | 2-4% | Quarterly |