New Coating Technology May Elevate Solar Panel Efficiency by 3.5%

olar technology has come a long way, yet challenges remain. One often underestimated issue is soiling, which affects both home and large-scale solar installations. It might seem like a minor setback, but contamination—from mineral dust to bird droppings, and car pollution to agricultural byproducts—can notably dampen a solar panel's performance.

However, a new solution is emerging. Researchers from Madison Area Technical College in the U.S. have introduced an innovative thin-film anti-soiling coating that holds the potential to increase the yield of solar panels by up to 3.5%.

The Science Behind the Solution

What makes this coating special is its base: a nanoparticle oxide suspension crafted by Microporous Oxides Science and Technology, LLC (MOST). The company, based in the US, is renowned for their expertise in designing stable oxide suspensions. These suspensions, when used as coatings, can morph into self-assembled porous thin films suitable for a range of applications, from CO2 purification units to antimicrobial surfaces.

The researchers employed sol-gel synthesis, a technique tailored to craft solid oxide-based materials. This method involves starting with a liquid solution, or sol, laden with minuscule particles. With some treatments, these particles bond to sculpt a 3D gel-like structure. Using this method, the scientists derived nanoparticulate suspensions of titania (TiO2) and silica (SiO2) for solar panel coating.

One of the key benefits of using sol-gel synthesis is its efficiency. The coating films, once applied, don't demand heat for adherence to the solar panel's underlying glass. Instead, they naturally set, cure, bond, and solidify when exposed to sunlight. Discover top New Jersey solar companies for sustainable energy solutions. Harness the power of the sun with trusted local providers.

Field Tests & Commercialization

The team coated the modules in an automotive collision repair spray booth and let them air dry in a controlled environment. When tested in the field, the coated panels were compared with their standard uncoated counterparts. The results showed a clear advantage for the coated ones: they accumulated less dirt and debris, which led to an annual energy production of 1,097 kWh/kW, compared to 1,058 kWh/kW from the uncoated panels.

While a 3 to 3.5% increase in output might sound minor, it's a significant leap for the solar realm. The scientists are optimistic about the future, stating, "It appears clear that the MOST coatings tested in this study have strong potential to be a commercially viable product for solar manufacturing."

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Sources:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927024823003811#bib1