Anti-Reflective And Anti-Soiling Properties Of A Kleanboost (Tm), A Superhydrophobic Nano-Textured Coating For Solar Glass

Soiling of solar cover glass can result in a significant loss of electrical output of PV panels. Dust and other contaminants adhere strongly to the glass by known mechanisms. In contrast, anti-soiling coatings, and the mechanisms by which they function, are not well-characterized. In this paper, we examine the properties of KleanBoost (TM) a thin anti-reflective and anti-soiling fluoropolymer coating for glass. In particular, we examine the effect of dew and baking cycles on dust accumulation and optical transparency. A dust "herding" process was observed as the condensed water droplets reduce in diameter as they evaporate on the hydrophobic surface. Anti-soiling and cleaning mechanisms were evaluated as a function of hydrophobicity of the glass nano-coating, and the KleanBoost (TM) surfaces were characterized and compared to their anti-soiling and cleaning properties.