Many researches on the low-cost solar simulators for PV module performance testing have been carried out. However, it was found that the previous designs require improvements to address the needs of PV module performance test equipment specifically for dust impact experiments. As the dust material attaching on the surface of PV module is removed easily during experiments, module position should be kept to face upwards. This study reported results of a solar simulator developed for testing characteristics of PV modules including those contaminated with dust. Test results showed that the solar simulator worked well. Voltage input and distance of halogen lamps can be adjusted to produce various light intensities received by the examined PV module. Relative difference of maximum power output (Pmax) of an examined PV module exposed to the Sun and the developed solar simulator was about 33%. The large difference was likely contributed to human errors and non-standard equipment applied during the study.

This study investigated the effect of dust to the performance degradation of PV street lights deployed at several areas (coastal, urban, industry, and village) in Kupang city. Results showed that maximum power output (Pmax) of all modules decreased by 9 % to 14 %. Short circuit current (Isc) was the parameter strongly affected by dust compared to open circuit voltage (Voc). Performance of the PV modules increased back to their initial conditions after cleaning. This was indicated by the increasing of Isc and Voc of the modules that leading to the escalating of their Pmax values. The worst effect of dust was exhibited by PV modules installed at coastal area. A simple analysis revealed that the module would lose 87.75 Wh of energy d–1. This study suggested that dust derating factor applied for PV street light design in Kupang should be higher than the standard (5 %).

Photovoltaic (PV) modules deployed outdoor are exposed to various environmental conditions which can contribute to degrade their power output. Visual inspection is a well known as an initial method commonly applied to assess degradation modes of PV modules. By applying the method, it was found that the modules installed on the 15 kWp off-grid solar power system at Hoineno village experienced several degradation modes such as snail trails, microcracks, soiling, discoloration, and corrosion. Except soiling factor, the type of degradation is likely attributed to the high temperature and humidity in the village. The effect of dust can be eliminated by performing a cleaning procedure. By doing that, economic losses and permanent degradation on PV modules can be avoided.

A factors causing declining of agricultural production is the lack of using the technology in processing agricultural land. Along with technological advances in the field of control, with the development of the 4.0 industrial revolution based, the automation systems are developed in various fields, especially in agriculture. Microcontroller with supported by sensor devices, can be developed automatic watering systems and monitoring the condition of agricultural land in real time. In this research, the control system for smart gardens was developed. Through this system, conditions of temperature, humidity and water use on agricultural land can be monitored with a system of watering plants automatically based on soil drought. All of these systems can be monitored directly on an Android Mobile Phone as the application of the 4.0 industrial revolution in agriculture. With this system it can save water use up to 45.20% and land management more effectively and efficiently.

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