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Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells
Volume 262, 15 October 2023, 112560
Field tests of a self-sintering, anti-soiling, self-cleaning, nanoporous metal oxide, transparent thin film coating for solar photovoltaic modules
Nanoporous metal oxide ceramic coatings, deposited using sol-gel techniques, have the potential to impart self-sintering and self-cleaning coatings to silicon oxide glass. When used on solar photovoltaic modules, these coatings can impart anti-static properties, improve wetting behavior, and degrade soiling deposits through photocatalytic activity. This paper reports on a field trial of a mixed silicon and titanium oxide thin film coating conducted in the upper midwestern U.S. Coated modules demonstrated increased electrical generation relative to uncoated controls. The results are encouraging for the commercialization of this coating technology, and provide a strong motivation for further research and development efforts.
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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant #2201631. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National ScienceFoundation.
