| Work Detail |
Moroccan researchers have examined the effects of an anti-reflective coating on solar panel performance in desert conditions and found that it improves both the annual yield rate and energy efficiency by 2% and 5.5% respectively. They have also found it to be durable and able to withstand dry cleaning methods in accelerated tests.
Researchers led by scientists from Mohammed First University in Morocco explored the use of solar panels equipped with an anti-reflective coating at Green Energy Park, a Benguerir-based test facility located in a site with favorable solar irradiance reaching 2,239 kWh/m2/year, but with a harsh climate with high temperatures, low rainfall and a high level of aerosols.
The experiment involved placing two commercial modules side by side, one with anti-reflective (AR) coating and the other without.
“This is the first study to comprehensively evaluate the electrical, optical, durability and economic aspects of AR coatings simultaneously and under real-world outdoor conditions,” Ahmed Alami Merrouni, corresponding author of the research, told pv magazine , adding that the “unexpected but significant result” was the “significant reduction” of 2.7% in the levelized cost of energy (LCOE).
The scientists evaluated the electrical performance of AR-coated PV modules over a 10-month period, performing frequent cleanings and weekly transmittance measurements. From the results of the field study, the team calculated the effect that AR-coated modules would have on the financial performance of a large-scale PV plant, using a 40 MW PV plant as a case study.
«The simulation results show that a 40 MW power plant using standard photovoltaic panels produces 69 GWh of electricity per year. In contrast, a similar power plant using ARC-coated panels achieves a high electricity generation of 72 GWh, which is a significant improvement of 5.5% compared to conventional panels,» the researchers say.
“From an economic point of view, the simulation results reveal an LCOE of €0.037 ($0.041)/kWh for the 40 MWe plant using uncoated PV modules. In contrast, the LCOE for the same plant with ARC modules is €0.0368/kWh, which represents a 2.7% reduction in electricity production costs,” they add.
Laboratory abrasion testing of AR-coated glass samples was also performed to determine the impact on optical performance and coating durability.
“Our study revealed that after 1,500 abrasion cycles, which simulate 29 years of weekly cleaning, the optical properties only decreased by 2.6%. This impressive durability opens up the possibility of using dry cleaning methods for photovoltaic power plants with this coating, significantly reducing cleaning costs and conserving water,” says Alami Merrouni.
According to the scientists, the AR-coated glass samples also showed “good optical performance against dirt,” with dirt losses 3.7% lower than those of uncoated samples for the same exposure period.
Since the study was conducted, feedback from other researchers in the solar energy field and Moroccan government organizations has been positive, according to Alami Merrouni. “The most notable and significant result that draws attention is the durability of the AR coatings in linear abrasion tests,” he said.
“These results underline the practical advantages and potential for widespread adoption of AR coating solutions, especially in regions such as Morocco, where, in addition to its high performance, AR coating can open up the possibility of using dry cleaning methods that allow for a significant reduction in cleaning costs and water savings, which is crucial in desert areas,” he concluded.
La investigación se detalla en el artículo «Experimental analysis of Anti-Reflective coating performance in desert Climate: Yield analysis, soiling impact and cleaning durability evaluation», publicado en Sustainable energy technologies and assessments. |
