Anti-Soiling Coatings for Enhancement of PV Panel Performance in Desert Environment: A Critical Review and Market Overview

Abstract

Areas with abundant sunlight, such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), are optimal for photovoltaic (PV) power generation. However, the average power loss of photovoltaic modules caused by dust accumulation is extreme and may reach 1%/day, necessitating frequent cleaning which adds to the cost of operations and maintenance. One of the solutions to the problem of PV soiling is to develop anti-soil coatings, where hydrophilic or hydrophobic coatings with spectral characteristics suitable for PV applications are added to the outer layer of PV glass. However, the effectiveness of such coatings depends extensively on climatic conditions and geographical locations. Since coatings add to the cost of solar panels, it is imperative that they are first tested for suitability at the intended location and/or in similar weather conditions prior to their large-scale deployment. This critical review focuses on various anti-dust technologies employed to mitigate the PV soiling issue. The in-depth comparison of the various developed techniques and materials aims at providing a relevant input in adapting the right technology based on particles’ accumulation mechanism, weather conditions, and geographical location. Though the mechanical cleaning process is the most used solution to date, development of thin film anti-dust coating could be a better alternative—when it is relevant—due to its abrasion-free capability, large deployment, economic viability, and durability. This review aims at serving as a reference in this topic, thereby paving the way to adapting efficient anti-dust coatings, especially in the MENA region and/or desert environment at large, where it is the most relevant.

Movement characteristics of the inclined surface flow of the open channel on the nanoscale surface

“…The self-cleaning properties of hydrophobic surfaces could be utilized to reduce maintenance costs and improve the efficiency of various systems. For example, hydrophobic coatings on building materials can prevent the accumulation of dirt and dust, enhancing the material’s lifespan and reducing cleaning expenses [ 33 ].…”

Numerical investigation of the effect of dust shields on accumulation of dust over PV panels

“…Passive cleaning techniques such as using super hydrophilic and super hydrophobic coatings were also developed and extensively applied. All coatings help in improving the performance of the PV panels to a certain limit (Syafiq et al 2022 ; Hossain et al 2022 ); however, their effect is dependent on the rainfalls, which is rare in the MENA region. Therefore, dust mitigation techniques using water are not feasible for the MENA region due to the scarcity of fresh water.…”

Soiling mitigation potential of glass coatings and tracker routines in the desert climate of Saudi Arabia

“…Adoptive tracking techniques have been investigated by Ricardo to improve PV performance and reduce soiling 22 . Research into ASCs by Mohammad Istiaque and others has shown that a hydrophilic surface in high humidity areas and a hydrophobic surface in dry areas is more effective 23 . Ali Samet discussed various coating production techniques, including sol–gel and dip coating, and their individual advantages and disadvantages 24 …”

“…22 Research into ASCs by Mohammad Istiaque and others has shown that a hydrophilic surface in high humidity areas and a hydrophobic surface in dry areas is more effective. 23 Ali Samet discussed various coating production techniques, including sol-gel and dip coating, and their individual advantages and disadvantages. 24 So far, there has been no study comparing the effects of ASC and innovative tracking routines with each other realistically, nor has a combination of both solutions been tested.…”