Severe equipment degradation, substantial generation losses, and soaring maintenance costs—these are daily challenges for PV projects in the sandy, Gobi, and desert regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and Northwestern China. Sandstorms have long plagued the solar industry, putting both reliability and investment returns to the test.

Sungrow’s 1+X 2.0 modular inverter recently confronted this challenge head-on. In collaboration with TÜV Rheinland —a global leader in inspection, testing, and certification — Sungrow conducted a 100-day on-site test at a PV plant located deep in the wind- and sand-swept desert. During the harshest sandstorm season, winds exceeded 10 on the Beaufort scale, visibility dropped below 100 meters, and PM10 concentrations peaked above 4000 μg/m³. The inverter endured five major sandstorms, totaling 45 days of sand-laden weather. The question was simple: how would 1+X 2.0 perform under such extreme conditions?

Real Results after 45 Days of Intense Sandstorms: Stable Output, Zero Maintenance

Located on the northwestern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, the test site faced relentless sandstorms. After the test, technicians disassembled 1+X 2.0 for inspection, analyzing operational data to evaluate its protective capabilities and power generation performance under extreme conditions. The results were striking:

1. Sealed and spotless: The inverter’s electronic compartment remained completely sealed, with no sign of dust ingress. Components were clean, and cooling ducts showed no significant dust buildup Unlike conventional inverters that require frequent filter cleaning and regular duct/heat dissipation component maintenance during sandstorm season, 1+X 2.0 ran maintenance-free throughout the test.