ENHANCING ROOFTOP PV PERFORMANCE IN DESERT CLIMATES THROUGH ADAPTIVE O&M: SAUDI ARABIA CASE STUDY
Keywords:
Rooftop PV systems; adaptive maintenance, Saudi Arabia, desert climate, solar efficiency, Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), performance ratio (PR), predictive maintenance, AI-based monitoring, photovoltaic soilingAbstract
This paper explores adaptive operation and maintenance (O&M) strategies to improve rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system performance in Saudi Arabia’s harsh desert climate. Despite high solar irradiance, factors like dust, extreme heat, and humidity reduce system efficiency and lifespan. The study evaluates smart technologies including AI-driven predictive maintenance, robotic cleaning, and IoT-based monitoring. Key performance indicators such as performance ratio (PR), utilization factor, and Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) were analyzed through case studies in Riyadh and Dhahran. Results show that adaptive O&M can boost energy output by at least 12%, maintain PRs above 90%, and lower LCOE to $0.014/kWh. These strategies prove more cost-effective and efficient than traditional reactive approaches. The paper concludes with recommendations for real-world implementation and highlights research gaps for desert PV systems in the MENA region.
