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A review of self-cleaning coatings for solar photovoltaic systems: theory, materials, preparation, and applications

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Abstract

Photovoltaic power generation is developing rapidly with the approval of The Paris Agreement in 2015. However, there are many dust deposition problems that occur in desert and plateau areas. Traditional cleaning methods such as manual cleaning and mechanical cleaning are unstable and produce a large economic burden. Therefore, self-cleaning coatings, which have unique mechanisms and high adaptability, have attracted wide attention in the photovoltaic industry and scientific community, especially the super-hydrophobic and super-hydrophilic coatings. The paper systematically reviewed the theory, materials, preparation, and applications of the super-hydrophobic and super-hydrophilic coatings on the photovoltaic modules. Super-hydrophobic materials such as organosilicon compounds, fluorinated polymers, and some inorganic materials are popular. TiO2 is widely used to prepare super-hydrophilic coatings on glass covers of photovoltaic panels due to its good photocatalytic activity. CVD-based surface treatment is suitable for preparing photovoltaic self-cleaning surfaces. These methods prepare self-cleaning surfaces by reacting gaseous substances with hot surfaces and depositing them on the surface. They are efficient but difficult to control accuracy. When applied to photovoltaic modules, it is crucial to consider the factors such as self-cleaning, transparency, anti-reflection, anti-icing, and durability. In future research, it is significant to improve the transparency, durability, and self-cleaning properties of coatings.

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The authors appreciate the financial supports provided by National Oversea High-level Talents Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52266017) and the Major Project of the National Social Science Foundation of China (No. 21&ZD133). It is also supported by the Xinjiang Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (No.2021D01E08), the Xinjiang Regional Coordination Special Project-International Science and Technology Cooperation Program (No.2022E01026), the Xinjiang Major Science and Technology Special Project (No.2022401002-2,2022A01007), the Xinjiang Key Research and development Project (No.2022B03028-2, No.2022B01033-2, No.2022B01022-1, 2022B01020-4), the Central Guidance on Local Science and Technology Development Project (No.ZYYD2022C16), the Innovation Team Project of Xinjiang University (500122006021) and High-level Talents Project of Xinjiang University (No.100521001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Energy Carbon Neutrality, School of Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830047, China

    Jing Qin & Hao Lu

  2. Engineering Research Center of Northwest Energy Carbon Neutrality, Ministry of Education, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830047, China

    Hao Lu

  3. Center of New Energy Research, School of Future Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830047, China

    Hao Lu

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  1. Jing Qin
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  2. Hao Lu
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Writing—original draft preparation, J. Q.; writing—review and editing, H. L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Hao Lu.

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Qin, J., Lu, H. A review of self-cleaning coatings for solar photovoltaic systems: theory, materials, preparation, and applications. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 91591–91616 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-28550-5

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