High-Power Self-Cleaning Solar Panels via Nanoscopic Relief Patterns

Self-cleaning solar cells capable of generating high quantities of electricity may soon be a reality thanks to new findings made by researchers from the Changchun University of Science and Technology, Xi’an Technological University, and Cardiff University.

Two of the great limiters of solar cell conversion efficiency — as experienced in real-world settings — are the inherent reflectivity of the silicon surfaces of the solar modules, and their potential to get dirty.  The utilization of new nanoscopic relief patterns addresses both of these issues — applied to the surface of a solar cell, the nanoscopic relief patterns create a non-reflective surface that significantly boosts conversion efficiency, as well as making the solar cells “highly non-sticking” and self-cleaning.

High-Power Self-Cleaning Solar Panels via Nanoscopic Relief Patterns