1 research outputs found
Self-Cleaning Microcavity Array for Photovoltaic Modules
Development of self-cleaning
coatings is of great interest for the photovoltaic (PV) industry,
as soiling of the modules can significantly reduce their electrical
output and increase operational costs. We fabricated flexible polymeric
films with novel disordered microcavity array (MCA) topography from
fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) by hot embossing. Because of
their superhydrophobicity with water contact angles above 150°
and roll-off angles below 5°, the films possess self-cleaning
properties over a wide range of tilt angles, starting at 10°,
and contaminant sizes (30–900 μm). Droplets that impact
the FEP MCA surface with velocities of the same order of magnitude
as that of rain bounce off the surface without impairing its wetting
properties. Additionally, the disordered MCA topography of the films
enhances the performance of PV devices by improving light incoupling.
Optical coupling of the FEP MCA films to a glass-encapsulated multicrystalline
silicon solar cell results in 4.6% enhancement of the electrical output
compared to that of an uncoated device