The KAUST solar coating enables solar panels to clean themselves while simultaneously capturing moisture from the air. Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology developed this material to address dust accumulation on solar energy systems. Notably, dust remains a significant challenge in hot, arid regions with limited rainfall, where regular cleaning consumes substantial water.
Development of the KAUST Solar Coating
The development of the KAUST solar coating represents a step forward in solar energy maintenance. Specifically, the research team focused on maintaining panel efficiency in environments where dust and heat are difficult to avoid. Consequently, this technology could reduce operating costs by minimizing the need for manual cleaning.
Six-Month Field Test Results
Researchers tested the technology outdoors on the university campus for six months. During this period, the coated solar panels showed only a slight decline in performance. Meanwhile, uncoated panels exposed to the same conditions experienced a significant drop in efficiency.
In addition, the coated surface successfully captured moisture from the air at night. This collected water was subsequently used to irrigate plants in a controlled field experiment. Field tests showed that coated panels produced more than twice the amount of condensed water as uncoated surfaces.
Material Composition and Functionality
The coating consists of a transparent nanostructured material made from a special type of silicon. This silicon is safe for use in food-related applications. Furthermore, the material combines three functions in a single layer: allowing sunlight to pass through, repelling water and dust, and lowering the surface temperature.
At night, the surface temperature drops slightly below the surrounding air temperature. As a result, moisture in the air condenses into water droplets that slide off the surface, carrying away accumulated dust. Although the volumes collected were modest, they were sufficient to support small-scale irrigation within the study.
Applications in Agrivoltaic Systems
The study, published in the scientific journal Energy and Environmental Materials, examined the potential application of this technology in agrivoltaic systems. These systems integrate solar panels with agricultural activities on the same site. By maintaining clean panels and providing an additional water source, the KAUST solar coating could help improve land and resource efficiency.
“By using naturally occurring temperature changes between day and night, we can enable passive cleaning without additional water or energy input,”
Qiaoqiang Gan, Professor of Material Science and Engineering at KAUST
The coating is produced through a simple thermal process and can be applied to standard glass surfaces. Currently, the research team is assessing the durability and performance of the KAUST solar coating over longer time periods. This ongoing research will help determine its potential for scalability in future applications.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
