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French chemist Axcentive and solar module manufacturer Photowatt have developed a photoactive coating that causes water to spread over the surface of the module immediately and prevents light scattering when it rains.
French chemical company Axcentive and solar module maker Photowatt, a unit of French energy giant EDF , are jointly developing a self-cleaning coating for solar panels. The coating is being developed within the framework of the European project PV Impact, coordinated by the Association of European Research Centers in Renewable Energies, whose objective is to stimulate the private sector to invest more in research, development and innovation in the photovoltaic sector in Europe. .
The coating will be based on photoactive nanotechnology and will be marketed under the Exocoat brand. The two companies describe it as a light-activated, self-cleaning coating for glass substrates. "Under light radiation, the coating creates radicals that break down any kind of dirt or organic contamination," they say in a joint statement. “Airborne particulates such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitric oxide (NOx) are also eradicated.”
The coating is based on a superhydrophilic surface that causes water to spread over the surface of the module immediately, thus avoiding light scattering effects when it rains. Additionally, this surface is said to increase the self-cleaning effect by letting water flow under the dirt and remove it by gravitational forces. A more practical method of following the effects on the surface is its response to a powdery substance that would cause fouling, and the effect to water spray. The hydrophilic surface of the coating will be less statically charged and therefore will attract less dirt," the statement says.
Scientists from the two companies tested the coating on a carbon powder against a plate that was half-coated with Exocoat itself. They sprayed water on the plate and verified that the coated side showed complete wetting and self-cleaning due to the effect of the water layer. "A vital point for Exocoats performance as a self-cleaning coating is its correct application on the glass/solar panel surface," said Arno Schut, Innovation Director at Axcentive. “An incorrect application can lead to inferior technical performance. Axcentive has written application protocols based on manual and automatic spray application that have been developed in the laboratory and need to be tested on site.”
Currently, the two companies are trying to improve their technology by seeking manufacturers of spray equipment. |
