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About

Annie Bernard is a researcher specializing in solar energy technology, with a particular focus on self-cleaning solutions for photovoltaic (PV) panels and concentrated solar power (CSP) mirrors. Her work centers on electrodynamic screen (EDS) technology — an innovative, waterless approach to removing dust and soiling from solar collectors, addressing one of the most persistent efficiency challenges in the solar energy industry. Bernard's most cited work, "Dust settles, we don't" (2018, 16 citations), introduced EDS as a practical self-cleaning alternative to conventional methods that rely on large quantities of deionized water, manual labor, or expensive robotic systems. Recognizing the scalability limitations of traditional cleaning approaches, her subsequent research has explored the industrial production and lamination of transparent EDS films onto solar modules (2020) and rigorously tested their environmental durability under real-world, water-free conditions (2019). Together, these contributions form a cohesive body of work aimed at making large-scale solar energy deployment more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Bernard's research is especially relevant for solar installations in arid regions where water scarcity makes conventional cleaning methods particularly impractical, positioning her as a meaningful contributor to the future of clean energy infrastructure.