Filenews 24 February 2026
A reduction of more than 20% is recorded in the solar radiation that reaches the photovoltaic systems of Cyprus, during intense dust episodes, according to a new scientific research by the Cyprus Institute.
"Particularly worrying is the fact that the largest losses are recorded on clear days, when under normal conditions production would be high. At the same time, during dust incidents, the efficiency of photovoltaics can drop sharply and unpredictably, creating additional challenges for the management and stability of the electrical grid," the announcement noted.
As noted by the Cyprus Institute, "as part of the study, the researchers developed a new machine learning model and analyzed more than 1.6 million hourly measurements from 472 photovoltaic installations across Cyprus. This methodology allowed to accurately capture when and to what extent dust episodes affect energy production, clearly distinguishing the effect of dust from that of clouds. The results are a critical tool for energy planning and improving forecasts in areas with frequent dust episodes, such as Cyprus," it states.
The Institute adds that the findings of the study, which was carried out by researchers at the Cyprus Institute in collaboration with the Cyprus University of Technology and with the participation of partners from the industry, are of particular importance for a country, such as Cyprus, which strategically invests in solar energy, but at the same time is increasingly affected by intense dust episodes.
As Dr. Theodoros Christoudias, Associate Professor at the Centre of Excellence for Climate and Atmospheric Research (CARE-C) of the Cyprus Institute, dust is one of the most important aggravating factors for solar energy production systems in the Mediterranean. Through the research, Dr. Christoudias notes, losses in energy production were accurately measured on an hourly basis and in real operating conditions, which enhances the accuracy of forecasts and enables system operators to prepare in time for sudden reductions in production, helping to ensure grid stability.
According to the Institute's announcement, the study was conducted as part of the PV DUST research project, which examines the impact of atmospheric dust on energy production in the Eastern Mediterranean. The project is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility of the European Union, under NextGenerationEU, through the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) (COM-CONCEPT-ENERGY/0624/0159).
CNA
