Chapter 12 - Nanostructured superhydrophobic coatings for solar panel applications

Abstract

Solar energy is the most widespread renewable source of energy which requires big installations of solar panels with large open surface. The efficiency of solar panels is highly dependent on the exposure of photovoltaic (PV) cells to sunrays and their absorption. Incoming radiations are blocked and scattered by accumulated dust particles, therefore a regular cleaning of PV solar panel is essential which is very difficult for large installations. Superhydrophobic antireflective coatings are excellent solution for preparing self-cleaning dust-free top glass of solar panels with improved radiation absorption. There are numerous methods to develop nanostructured coatings with antireflective and superhydrophobic properties. These superhydrophobic, antireflective coatings show self-cleaning, antidust, antipollution, antiicing, and antifogging features. Because of such properties, these coatings can improve the efficiency of solar panel up to 20%–30%. In this chapter, we will discuss various methods for the preparation and evaluation of antireflective superhydrophobic coatings for solar panel applications.