  Solar photovoltaic power generation has achieved grid parity in a number of
countries during the last decade. This revolution has begun in countries where
the solar radiation intensity is not very high. Solar resource maps created by
a number of agencies worldwide indicate that areas of high intensity of solar
radiation suitable solar for power generation are in deserts and semi-arid
zones. These regions are dusty and are subjected to both anthropogenic
pollution and natural sand storms. The impact of these events on the solar
photovoltaic (PV) plant yield is significant. An increase in diffuse component
of solar radiation is accompanied by a naturally occurring sand storm. Often
the solar panels are tilted at an optimal angle and the global tilted radiation
value falling on the panels changes significantly during and after the sand
storms. It is noted that the decrease in the power output of a solar
photovoltaic plant during such events is high enough to warrant further
consideration while forecasting the plant output. Inverter performance during
such sand storms is found to be satisfactory. Integrating dust storm monitoring
with PV power plant yield prediction algorithms is necessary for an improved
operation of PV plants.
