Self-cleaning solar panels boost performance & reduce costs
It's no brainer that accumulation of dust on the surface of solar panels, also called 'soiling', is one of the main reasons that affects the efficiency of solar power plants. The dust layer itself can reduce the reflectivity to about 50% in just a few days. Most of the solar power plants employ manual cleaners who brush and clean each panel using de-ionised water and detergent; but it's a very labor intensive and routine task. It also adds to the overall maintenance costs which directly results into elevated cost of solar power generation.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
The fix for soiling comes from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The team at ORNL has developed a budget-friendly, transparent and anti-soiling coats for the solar panels so that they that don't need manual cleaning. The coating is based on superhydrophobic coating technology developed by the laboratory and is capable of rejecting water, viscous liquids, dust particles and sand trying to settle on the surface. The coating can be deposited using regular painting or spraying techniques, using a mix of organics & particles. One big advantage of these coatings is that they can be deployed on already-functional solar panels in the solar power plant without taking them out for maintenance.
There are several challenges involved in development of such coating. The coat has to be an excellent water repellent to minimise the need of occasional cleaning. It should not affect the scattering of solar radiation in 250 - 3000 nm wavelengths. The coating must be super-thin (a few nm thick) and the embedded particles should be tiny. It should also tolerate the constant UV exposure and erosion due to sand. Thankfully, the research team has arrived at a particular formula that exhibits all of the above characteristics.
ORNL team is currently optimising the coatings and performing various exposure tests. The small-scale field testing is expected to begin soon. We'll promise to keep you posted on the developments.
Source: #-Link-Snipped-#
Image Credit: Wikipedia
There are several challenges involved in development of such coating. The coat has to be an excellent water repellent to minimise the need of occasional cleaning. It should not affect the scattering of solar radiation in 250 - 3000 nm wavelengths. The coating must be super-thin (a few nm thick) and the embedded particles should be tiny. It should also tolerate the constant UV exposure and erosion due to sand. Thankfully, the research team has arrived at a particular formula that exhibits all of the above characteristics.
ORNL team is currently optimising the coatings and performing various exposure tests. The small-scale field testing is expected to begin soon. We'll promise to keep you posted on the developments.
Source: #-Link-Snipped-#
Replies
-
princess_priiyawow... its interesting !! -
Rajni Jain
Interesting,Kaustubh KatdareThe fix for soiling comes from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The team at ORNL has developed a budget-friendly, transparent and anti-soiling coats for the solar panels so that they that don't need manual cleaning. The coating is based on superhydrophobic coating technology developed by the laboratory and is capable of rejecting water, viscous liquids, dust particles and sand trying to settle on the surface.
But question is how it will work in sand storms.
Desert areas are the areas where solar plants should be deployed; and there sand storms are bigger threats. Now the question is can this repellent stop sand from storms? -
Void Runner^The repellant cannot work in extreme dusty scenarios. In such a case it becomes easier to clean compared to ordinary panels, but it will still get dirty. The proper solution is still good old fashioned regular sprinkler based cleaning. There may be, in future, a nanomaterial based solution, but in all such cases the coatings being so thin and subject to the elements, will not last too long - thus it's not a very viable solution.
You are reading an archived discussion.
Related Posts
Isn't it really boring to see the same screen every day? A change in regularity is welcomed by everyone. Well, GeeksPhone – a Spanish smartphone company has come up with...
Entailing a semi-open back architecture for profound, solid bass reproduction, the have it in them to be part of your gadgets must-haves kit. Their unique styling may not align with...
Leaked documents have revealed an elaborate plan giving police the ability to remotely disable car engines. This technology comes under ENLET's(European Network of Law Enforcement Technologies') 6-year development project. ENLET...
hello, i have completed B.Tech Eelectronics And Communication Engineering
Now i am planning to do a course like PLC or DCS.,.to get a job preferably in oil and gas industries...
iBall has launched the Slide 3G 7334Q-10 Android tablet in the Indian markets today. The Slide 3G, as you might have guessed from the name supports WCDMA connectivity. The tablet...