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The deposition of dust and other airborne particles on the glazing of solar collectors (soiling) reduces its transmittance and therefore its efficiency significantly. This effect is particularly relevant in arid regions with high amounts of mineral dust. This study uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to model the soiling potentials in Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Various environmental parameters like wind conditions, precipitation and earth's surface conditions are involved in this model. The first result, a dust risk map of the MENA region, implies a significant differentiation of soiling potentials. This study makes a contribution to the development of appropriate indoor durability testing procedures and the identification of the most favorable solar locations. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.