Many solar panels often accumulate layers of soft as it is naturally placed outdoors to maximize their exposure to sunlight and produce energy. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics noticed this as it works together with Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP to come up with a unique coating that is ultra-thin and applied to solar panels.
This allows it to be self-cleaning and repel dirt with the basis of a substance known as crystalline titanium oxide. It is placed on the glass through a roll-to-roll process to allow the solar panels to turn into a super-hydrophilic surface from hydrophobic after it is exposed to ultraviolet light. Essentially, the surface repels water when it is not exposed to UV radiation.
Ultra-Thin Solar Panel Coatings
Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics Develop a Coating
Trend Themes
1. Ultra-thin Solar Panel Coating Technology - The development of ultra-thin and self-cleaning solar panel coatings is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the solar energy industry.
2. Crystalline Titanium Oxide - The use of crystalline titanium oxide as a self-cleaning agent has the potential to revolutionize the coatings industry and its applications.
3. Roll-to-roll Process - The roll-to-roll process of applying the ultra-thin coating can be a disruptive innovation for the energy and manufacturing industries to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
Industry Implications
1. Solar Energy - The development of ultra-thin and self-cleaning solar panel coatings can revolutionize the efficiency and maintenance costs of the solar energy industry.
2. Coatings - The use of crystalline titanium oxide as a self-cleaning agent can disrupt the coatings industry and its applications in various industries.
3. Manufacturing - The roll-to-roll process of applying the ultra-thin coating can be a disruptive innovation for the manufacturing industry to increase efficiency and reduce costs of coating applications.