The present disclosure describes a system including: at least one ceramic foam comprising a porous top surface, porous channels, and a porous bottom surface, wherein the at least one ceramic foam is over a surface of a solar panel such that when dust particles are poured onto the porous top surface of the at least one ceramic foam, the dust particles permeate through the porous channels of the at least one ceramic foam and then exit from the porous bottom surface of the at least one ceramic foam to form a layer of dust, with a pre-determined thickness, on the surface of the solar panel.