Which method is suitable for self-cleaning coating of photovoltaic modules?

The preparation methods suitable for self-cleaning coating of photovoltaic modules include LBL, CVD, sol–gel method, and plasma-etching technology. LBL, CVD and sol–gel technologies are all CVD-based surface treatment technologies, which have difficulty in precision control. Sol–gel method and LBL are both economical.

Can hydrophobic sol-gel based coating be used in photovoltaic system?

This study proposes the development and application of hydrophobic sol-gel based coating in the photovoltaic system. The aims include synthesizing a hydrophobic sol-gel based self-cleaning coating for solar panel and characterizing the hydrophobic sol-gel based self-cleaning coating.

Why do photovoltaic panels need a self-cleaning coating?

The self-cleaning coating has attracted extensive attention in the photovoltaic industry and the scientific community because of its unique mechanism and high adaptability. Therefore, an efficient and stable self-cleaning coating is necessary to protect the cover glass on the photovoltaic panel. There are many self-cleaning phenomena in nature.

Why do photovoltaic panels need a transparent coating?

When sunlight shines on the photovoltaic panel, part of the visible light will be reflected, and the rest will be converted and utilized. Therefore, the transparency and anti-reflection of the self-cleaning coatings applied on photovoltaic modules cannot be ignored.

Can a sol-gel coating improve optical performance for photovoltaic applications?

However, balancing mechanical durability, self-cleaning characteristics, and optical performance for photovoltaic applications remains challenging. This study focuses on synthesizing a composite coating through the sol-gel method, aiming to achieve high optical transmittance and superior mechanical properties.

Does a self-cleaning coating reduce dust accumulation on PV panels?

In this study, a self-cleaning coating is focused on PV application mainly to reduce dust accumulation on PV panels. Hydrophobic coatings provide a variety of conveniences including a reduction in maintenance cost, the extermination of dreary manual work as well as minimizing time spent on cleaning.