Dust effect on photovoltaic utilization in Iraq: Review article Ali A. Kazem a , Miqdam T. Chaichan b , Hussein A. Kazem c,n a Ibn-Rusher College, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq b Machines and Equipment Engineering Department, UOT, Baghdad, Iraq c Faculty of Engineering, Sohar University, Sohar, Oman article info Article history: Received 19 November 2013 Received in revised form 13 May 2014 Accepted 20 May 2014 Available online 10 June 2014 Keywords: Photovoltaic Solar energy Dust Pollutants Iraq abstract The term Dust is called for any substance that spreads in the air which includes soil and dust particles (suspended dust), smoke, fog and particulate matters. It is formed from organic and inorganic substances of terrestrial origin. Such substances are like sand storms, factory smoke, bacteria, pollen, Forrest fires and volcanoes vapors. Also, they include solid atmospheric particles that stay suspended in the air for long periods, and that are able to move with wind movements for long distances. It represents large differences in volume, shape, distribution and concentrations. Dust-storms are an environmental phenomenon that transcends boundaries and their growing intensity and frequency-as a result of increasing desertification and decreasing vegetation coverage-has a tremendous negative impact on national and regional human and socio-economic development. In this study, a review of Iraqi geographical and meteorically characteristics will be made. In addition, a review of the human activities that increased desertification in Iraq areas that reflects on increasing sand and dust storms in the country will also be reviewed. The focus on dust causes, types and specifications was a priority in order to analyze its effects on PV systems. PV systems performance is affected by dust and dust storms highly influence the energy collected. A comprehensive review for the effect of dust on PV in Iraq is represented to researchers; designers and engineers dealing with PV systems in Iraq. & 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................ 734 2. The Iraq geography .................................................................................................. 735 3. Sand storms and dust in Iraq .......................................................................................... 739 4. The Iraqi dust specifications ........................................................................................... 740 5. The Iraq electricity conditions.......................................................................................... 742 6. The Iraqi scientific activities on the effect of dust on PV systems ............................................................. 743 7. The Iraqi research efforts on cleaning PV panels ........................................................................... 745 8. A critical evaluation on research conducted on dust effect on PV in Iraq ....................................................... 746 9. Conclusions and recommendations ..................................................................................... 746 References ............................................................................................................. 747 1. Introduction Marten Cobler the representative of Secretary General of the UN in Iraq said in his word in Nairobi Conference about the environment on 21st February 2013 that Iraq faced 122 sand-dust storms and it is expected that Iraq will face 300 storms per year within the next five years. “Environmental issues impact everyone in Iraq. Dust storms, desertification and water scarcity are only three of many pressing issues”, said Martin Cobler. Addressing these challenges has to start with each of us [1]. Iraq suffered from nearly a decade of war and two decades of drought, a new dust bowl appears to be forming. Chronically plagued by overgrazing and over plowing, Iraq is now losing irrigation water to its upstream riparian neighbors—Turkey, Syria, Contents lists available at ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.05.073 1364-0321/& 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. n Corresponding author. Tel.: þ968 99645363; fax: þ968 26720102. E-mail address: h.kazem@soharuni.edu.om (H.A. Kazem). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 37 (2014) 734–749