In this paper, the effect of dust on electrical and thermal behavior of photovoltaic panels is investigated. For this aim, several types of dusts are considered. Which leads to different panel behaviors in the thermal, optical and electrical aspects. Indeed, it has been shown that light transmission varies with dust type. Laboratory tests using various instruments such as microscope, spectrophotometer, I-V photovoltaic modules analyzer and data logger equipped with thermocouples are carried out. The obtained results show that variations on the physical parameters (grain size and type), level of light transmission and the glazing temperature lead to change in performance of photovoltaic panel (PV). The experimental observed behaviors were in accordance with the results obtained using the Energy2D computer simulation code of the thermal behavior applied to the glazing and PV module (Glass, EVA, Cell, Frame and Tedlar). (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.