The Performance of PV Module Cover Coatings for Coastal and Floating Solar
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Photovoltaic module cover glass coatings are used to improve the energy efficiency of solar panels. However, not much is known about how these coatings perform in salty conditions such as coastal areas. With recent interest towards coastal PV and floating PV deployment, understanding how these coatings operate in demanding environmental conditions can determine their industrial feasibility and technological development. This study investigates the performance and durability of commonly used porous SiO2anti-reflective coatings against an anti-soiling coating when exposed to salty spray mist, simulating accelerated coastal and floating conditions. SEM images and UV/Vis spectroscopy revealed that salt spray mist causes the porous SiO2to mechanically fail due to coating abrasion and embedded salt crystals that reduced the optical transmission by an absolute ~1.5 T% over 3 cycles. Additionally, by the second cycle of testing, the anti-soiling coating performed better than the porous SiO2due to its improved mechanical resistance and lower surface energy which resisted soiling from adhering to the surface, mitigating optical transmission losses.
Authors: Luke O. Jones, Omar Hassan, Adam M. Law, John M. Walls
Institution: Loughborough University
Language: English
Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4413823567