Anti-Reflection and Anti-Soiling Field Performance of Coated Photovoltaic Modules

摘要

We here report on the comparative field performance of photovoltaic modules treated with an antireflection and anti-soiling coating based on silica nanoparticles. Photovoltaic modules were installed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and were monitored for 5 months. We found that the accumulated direct current power output of coated modules was increased by 4.4 and 2.8% compared to conventional non-coated photovoltaic modules and photovoltaic modules with anti-reflection glass manufactured by heat treatment, respectively. Also, daily power output increased by 7.1% and 2.2%. This is thought to be the result of a reduction in soiling by antistatic effects of the additive. Additionally, as the incidence angle of light increased, the output by total reflection could be increased. Our results demonstrate that the applied multifunctional coating effectively improved the power output of photovoltaic modules by enhancing anti-reflection and reducing soiling loss.