Development and characterisation of multifunctional surface coatings for photovoltaic panels

In this research, the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) panel surfaces due to environmental pollution (dust, dirt and carbon dioxide etc.) results in the loss of output power. The self-cleaning, photocatalytic, anti-reflection and antibacterial coatings developed to reduce this effect were coated on glass surfaces by the sol–gel method, and the effects of the coatings made on the efficiency of PV panels were investigated. The optical and photocatalytic properties of the coatings made were characterised by contact angle measurement and the scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The panels coated with increased light transmittance on the PV panel surface showed self-cleaning properties, an anti-reflection effect and antibacterial surface formation. Of the coatings made on the panel surfaces, photocatalytic and anti-reflection effects were provided with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and silicon dioxide (SiO₂) compounds, and an antibacterial surface was obtained with the diboron trioxide (B₂O₃) compound. Four panels covered with titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, diboron trioxide and TiO₂ + SiO₂ + B₂O₃ and uncoated panels were compared. The PV panels are in the external environment, and the most efficient coating determination was made with the data received from the PV system assembly to measure the extra energy produced.