# Water Repellent Sun Cells Non-Reflective Solar Panels are Also Self-Cleaning By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-11-10 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/non-reflective-solar-panels References: [spectrum.ieee.org](http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/green-tech/solar/toward-a-nonreflecting-selfcleaning-solar-panel) & [sciencedaily](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/11/101104193959.htm) Researchers at Finland’s [Aalto University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hahtiper-shipwreck) have discovered a way to use plasma etching to create hydrophobic non-reflective solar panels. The [hydrophobic surface](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfrepairing-uv-tech) quickly sheds water, carrying dust and other light-blocking particles away from the solar panel’s surface. Non-reflective solar panels are more efficient than reflective solar panels. The plasma etching process used to create these hydrophobic non-reflective solar panels is quicker than traditional manufacturing and will make mass production more efficient. Photo Credits: [Advanced Materials Magazine](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.201001810/full) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 30% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Plasma Etching for Hydrophobic Surfaces:** The use of plasma etching to create hydrophobic surfaces on various materials presents disruptive innovation opportunities in industries like solar panels, electronics, and automotive. - **Non-reflective Solar Panels:** The development of non-reflective solar panels opens up disruptive innovation possibilities in the renewable energy industry, particularly in solar power generation and energy efficiency technologies. - **Efficient Mass Production:** Efficient mass production techniques, such as the plasma etching process used in hydrophobic non-reflective solar panels, offer disruptive innovation potential in manufacturing sectors like electronics, aerospace, and construction. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Solar Panels:** The solar panel industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by adopting non-reflective and hydrophobic surface technologies, leading to increased energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs. - **Electronics:** The electronics industry can benefit from disruptive innovation through the integration of hydrophobic surface technologies created by plasma etching, enhancing the durability and performance of various electronic devices. - **Automotive:** Hydrophobic surfaces created through plasma etching can revolutionize the automotive industry by offering self-cleaning and water-repellent coatings for vehicles, improving visibility and reducing maintenance requirements. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Heritage Building-Blending Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-solar.md) - [Flexible Solar Film Energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heliafilm.md) - [Efficient Scalable Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perovskia-solar.md) - [Exceptionally Efficient Solar Cells](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/efficient-solar-cell.md) - [Solar Panel Cleaning Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-panel-cleaning-system.md) - [Lunar Material-Based Solar Cells](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-dust.md) - [Colored Glass Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beautiful-solar-panels.md) - [Solar Panel Artworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solar-tapestry.md) - [Origami-Inspired Solar Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/levante-origami-solar-panel.md)