Anti-Reflective Coating Technologies for Solar Panels
20 patents in this list
Updated:
Solar panel efficiency is heavily impacted by surface reflections, with conventional glass interfaces reflecting up to 4% of incident light at normal incidence and significantly more at oblique angles. These optical losses compound with environmental factors like dust accumulation and surface degradation, leading to measurable decreases in power output over time.
The central challenge lies in developing coatings that simultaneously minimize reflection across the solar spectrum while maintaining durability, self-cleaning properties, and cost-effectiveness in large-scale manufacturing.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including hybrid SiO2-TiO2 composites, nanostructured silicon nitride surfaces, multilayer interference coatings, and superhydrophobic nano-particle dispersions. These and other approaches demonstrate how anti-reflective coating technologies are evolving to meet the demanding requirements of modern photovoltaic systems.
1. Transparent Coating Comprising Nano Silica and Nano Zirconia Particles with HMDS and OTES for Antireflective Superhydrophobic Surface
GRAPHIC ERA, 2024
Transparent antireflective superhydrophobic coating for solar panels that enhances efficiency through a novel combination of hydrophobicity and dust repellency. The coating comprises nano silica and nano zirconia particles modified with HMDS and OTES, which form a stable dispersion when combined with an alcohol-based solvent. The dispersion is then applied to solar panels using a controlled process that generates a superhydrophobic surface while maintaining antireflective properties. The coating exhibits improved dust repellency compared to conventional coatings, enabling enhanced solar panel performance while maintaining transparency.
2. Hybrid SiO2-TiO2 Composite Coating Solution for Solar Modules with Anti-Reflective and Anti-Soiling Properties
RESOL CO LTD, 2023
Coating solution composition for solar modules that prevents reflection and contamination through a novel hybrid composite material. The composition combines SiO2 and TiO2 in a specific ratio to achieve both anti-reflective and anti-soiling properties. The composition is synthesized through a room-temperature curing process and electrostatic spray coating method, enabling effective protection of solar modules in field environments without compromising their performance.
3. Silicon Dioxide-Based Water Coating for Solar Panel Reflection Minimization and Surface Repellency
NANO CARE PRODUCTION GMBH, 2023
A water-based coating for solar panels that minimizes reflections while maintaining dirt and dust repellency. The coating, comprising a silicon dioxide-based liquid, is applied to the solar module surface either during production or post-installation. This coating reduces light scattering and reflection while preventing dirt and dust accumulation, resulting in improved light transmission.
4. Nanocomposite Coating with Polylactic Acid Matrix and Titanium Dioxide-Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles for Photovoltaic Panels
MARMARA UNIV STRATEJI GELISTIRME DAIRE BASKANLIGI MUHASEBE BIRIMI, 2023
A coating material for photovoltaic solar panels that combines anti-reflective and self-cleaning properties through a novel nanocomposite system. The coating comprises a matrix of polylactic acid (PLA) with titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles as base components. This nanocomposite system enables the coating material to exhibit both hydrophobic and photocatalytic properties, while maintaining compatibility with glass substrates. The coating achieves its self-cleaning effect through the hydrophobic interaction between the coating material and water droplets, while preventing direct sunlight reflection. This innovative coating material enables enhanced solar energy conversion while maintaining environmental sustainability.
5. Glass Article with Aluminum Oxide Coating for Enhanced Optical Transmission in Visible and Near-Infrared Spectrum
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE PELOTAS, 2023
A glass article coated with aluminum oxide that combines the benefits of solar panels, photovoltaic devices, and thermal energy systems. The coating enhances optical transmission while maintaining the structural integrity of the glass substrate. The coating achieves superior light transmission across the visible and near-infrared spectrum, with maximum transmission values of 99.7% in the 700 nm range and 98% in the 1000 nm range. This coating enables efficient energy conversion through photovoltaic cells and thermal collectors, while maintaining the optical clarity of the glass substrate.
6. Coating Composition with Silicon-Acrylate Resins and Graphene Oxide for Solar Panel Backplane Integration
NANTONG QS OPTOELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2021
Coating for solar panels that enhances power conversion efficiency through optimized light reflection. The coating is applied between the solar panel backplane and EVA adhesive layer, incorporating a combination of silicon-acrylate resins and graphene oxide. This integrated design enables maximum utilization of solar radiation while minimizing reflectivity and refractive index variations across the panel surface. The coating achieves improved power generation efficiency through enhanced light reflection and increased light reflection efficiency, while maintaining durability and self-cleaning properties.
7. Double-Layer Antireflection Coating with Fluorinated Silica Polymer and Modified Mesoporous Silica Dispersions
UNIV WUHAN TECH, 2020
A double-layer antireflection coating for solar cells that enhances efficiency through a novel combination of bottom and top layers. The coating consists of a bottom layer comprising a fluorinated silica polymer dispersion and a modified mesoporous silica dispersion, which are combined in a 2:1 ratio. The bottom layer is cured to form a thin, uniform layer. The top layer is prepared by mixing the modified mesoporous silica dispersion with a fluorinated silica polymer solution. The top layer is cured to form a thicker, more robust layer. The bottom and top layers are combined to create a wide-band antireflection coating that provides superior light management compared to conventional single-layer coatings.
8. Solar Cell with Multilayer Anti-Reflective Coating of Silicon Nitride and Magnesium Fluoride
Nantong Sumin New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., NANTONG SUMIN RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2019
Solar cell with enhanced anti-reflective coating that achieves zero reflection across a broader spectral range. The coating comprises a single-layer or multilayer film of silicon nitride (SiNx) or magnesium fluoride (MgF2), which provides superior anti-reflective properties compared to conventional single-layer silicon nitride coatings. This multilayer design enables the film to achieve optimal antireflection characteristics across the solar spectrum, enabling higher conversion efficiency in solar cells.
9. Solar Cells with Nano-Textured Antireflection Coating Featuring Integrated Nanostructured Pillars
UNIV DELFT TECH, 2019
Solar cells with high-efficiency light absorption through an integrated nano-textured antireflection coating. The coating, deposited through a single process step, features nanostructured pillars with dimensions of 2-10 pm that create a uniform, textured surface. This unique nanostructure enables improved light absorption compared to conventional anti-reflective coatings, while maintaining excellent electrical performance. The coating can be applied directly to the solar cell surface or integrated into the cell architecture. The process involves wet etching the nanostructured surface to create the pillars, followed by deposition of the anti-reflective layer.
10. Nanocone-Based Anti-Reflective Coating with Silicon Nitride Nanopillars and Layered Refractive Index Matching
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, 2019
Nanocone-based anti-reflective coatings for solar cells and photodetectors that achieve superior light trapping efficiency through a novel nanostructured surface. The coatings feature silicon nitride nanopillars on a silicon nitride layer, engineered to optimize destructive interference for broad-spectrum anti-reflective performance. By matching the refractive index of the silicon nitride layer to the surrounding medium, the nanocone structure creates an effective medium that enables omni-directional light collection while maintaining absorption characteristics. This approach enables high-efficiency solar cells and photodetectors with reduced reflection and improved optical quality, particularly at oblique angles of incidence.
11. Multi-Layer Anti-Reflection Film with Carbon Nanocone-Embedded Nano Glass Plate for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Jiaxing Jinrui Photovoltaic Technology Co., Ltd., JIAXING JINRUI PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2019
An improved anti-reflection film for crystalline silicon solar cells that reduces reflectivity and improves light transmission. The film is installed inside an anodized aluminum frame on the solar cell surface. It has four layers: a waterproof coating, an anti-reflection layer, an ultraviolet absorbing layer, and a nano glass plate with carbon nanocones. The layers provide functions like waterproofing, anti-reflection, UV absorption, and light transmission enhancement. The nano glass plate with carbon nanocones increases light transmission.
12. Multi-Layer Anti-Reflective Film with Nano-Hollow Sphere Layer for Enhanced Broad-Spectrum Light Management
Changshu Canadian Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd., CANADIAN SOLAR INC, Suzhou Canadian Solar Power Technology Co., Ltd., 2019
Anti-reflective film for solar cells and photovoltaic modules that achieves superior performance across a broad spectrum of wavelengths beyond the conventional 550nm limit. The film comprises a base layer of silicon dioxide or silicon nitride and a nano-hollow sphere layer, with the base layer containing these materials. The nano-hollow sphere layer is composed of hollow spheres with diameters ranging from 10-100 nm, which effectively scatter and absorb shorter wavelengths of light while transmitting longer wavelengths. This multi-layer architecture enables the film to achieve an optimal refractive index profile that matches the silicon wafer's refractive index, thereby significantly reducing reflection losses across the solar spectrum.
13. SiNx Layer Anti-Reflective Coating with Surface Modifier for Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells
SHENZHEN SOLTRIUM ADVANCED MATERIALS TECH CO LTD, 2018
Anti-reflective coating for solar cells that enhances light transmission while maintaining low reflectivity. The coating comprises a SiNx layer with a thickness of approximately 75 nm, combined with a surface modifier to improve storage stability of the coating solution. The coating is applied to the front surface of crystalline silicon solar cells, where it significantly reduces front reflectivity from 6% to below 1%, while maintaining high light transmission. The coating formulation enables efficient solar energy conversion by minimizing light loss through reflection.
14. Silicon-Based Antireflection Film with Silicon Oxynitride and Gradient Silicon Nitride Layers
CSI SOLAR TECHNOLOGIES INC., Suzhou Canadian Solar Power Technology Co., Ltd., 2018
A silicon-based antireflection film for solar cells that combines reduced reflectivity with improved performance against photoinduced degradation (PID). The film comprises a silicon oxynitride layer and a silicon nitride gradient layer, with the gradient layer having a thickness that optimizes reflectivity reduction while maintaining PID protection. This dual-layer structure enables both high reflectivity reduction and enhanced PID protection, enabling high-efficiency solar cells with improved light management properties.
15. Multilayer Antireflection Coating with Silicon Dioxide Xerogel for Solar Cells
GUO CHUNMING, 2017
Antireflection coating for solar cells with minimal environmental impact. The coating comprises a silicon oxynitride film, a silicon nitride film, a titanium dioxide film, and a silicon dioxide film, with the silicon dioxide film being a silicon dioxide xerogel. The coating achieves an average reflectance of 1.49% under environmental conditions of 45°C and 95% relative humidity, making it suitable for solar cells operating in diverse environmental conditions.
16. Anti-Reflective Coating Composition with Water-Soluble Solvent, Nonionic Surfactant, and Acid Catalyst
Young Chang Chemical Co., Ltd., YOUNG CHANG CHEMICAL CO LTD, 2017
Anti-reflective coating composition for solar cells that combines high transmittance with superior durability. The composition comprises a water-soluble organic solvent, a nonionic surfactant, and an acid catalyst. The solvent provides low refractive index while the surfactant enhances wear resistance. The acid catalyst enables controlled degradation of the coating during exposure to environmental stressors. The resulting film maintains its antireflection properties for extended periods.
17. Sol-Gel Anti-Reflective Film with Refractive Index Gradient for Multi-Junction Solar Cells
Tongji University, TONGJI UNIVERSITY, 2017
A sol-gel anti-reflective film for multi-junction solar cells that achieves broad-spectrum protection through a gradient of refractive index. The film is prepared using a sol-gel process with a refractive index gradient that enables selective absorption of light across the solar spectrum, particularly in the 1.5-1.7 μm range. This approach eliminates the need for traditional multilayer coatings and enables high-efficiency solar cells with reduced light loss.
18. Solar Glass Coating with Nano-Structured Latent Conversion Material for Enhanced Light Conversion
Tianjin Vocational Institute, TIANJIN VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE, 2016
A solar glass coating that improves light conversion efficiency through a latent material-based approach. The coating comprises a composition containing nano-SiO2, nano-MgF2, ytterbium nitrate, erbium nitrate, and terbium nitrate, which undergoes a controlled thermal treatment to activate the latent conversion material. This process enables the conversion of near-ultraviolet and near-infrared light into visible light, with improved performance compared to traditional antireflection coatings. The coating is produced through a simple, solvent-free process that maintains environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness, making it suitable for industrial applications.
19. Composite Material Omnidirectional Antireflection Coating for Photovoltaic Cell Glass Surfaces
SHANGHAI XIYUAN ENERGY SAVING MATERIAL CO LTD, 2015
A broadband omnidirectional antireflection coating for photovoltaic cells that enhances light transmission across a wide range of incident angles. The coating is a composite material comprising a thin layer of a specific material that provides both anti-reflective and omnidirectional optical properties. This material is applied to the glass surface of photovoltaic cells to significantly increase light transmission beyond the typical 4% threshold, enabling higher power conversion efficiency in solar cells.
20. Solar Cell with Dual-Layer Anti-Reflective Coating Incorporating ZnO Nano-Rods and Metal Fluoride Layer
DEFENSE AGENCY FOR TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY, 2015
Solar cell with improved anti-reflective coating that enhances light conversion efficiency. The coating comprises a thin-film Cu(In,Ga)Se2 layer with nano-rods, which provides a uniform and omnidirectional anti-reflective surface. The nano-rods are formed from a metal oxide, specifically ZnO, and have diameters between 10-100 nm. The anti-reflective layer is followed by a second, metal fluoride-based anti-reflective layer, which further reduces surface reflectance. The solar cell achieves an average reflectivity of 7% or less at all incident angles, enabling higher conversion efficiency compared to conventional anti-reflective coatings.
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