Book: Advanced Nano and Micro materials for Photovoltaics: future and emerging technologies, Chapter 11: "Multifunctional Optical Coatings and Light Management for Photovoltaics"

Book · Fri May 31 04:00:00 EDT 2019 · Micro and Nano Technologies

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814501-2.00007-4· OSTI ID:1444003

Moffitt, Stephanie L. ^[1]; Schelhas, Laura T. ^[1]; Melkote, Sunjay ^[1]; Toney, Michael F. ^[1]

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1. SLAC National Accelerator Lab., Menlo Park, CA (United States)

In this chapter, we present a discussion of three main topics in coatings and light management for PV. First, we will cover the basic principles behind light management and broadly discuss approaches that can be used to mitigate reflective losses. Additionally, we build further on this topic by exploring the specific antireflection techniques used by PV glass and module manufacturers. Next, we explore antisoiling coatings, a relatively understudied area until recently. We comment on the distinctly different approaches to antisoiling coatings currently being explored by the PV community and the pros and cons of each. In addition, antisoiling coatings can also serve as antireflective coatings, providing a route to multifunctional coatings. Finally, we comment briefly on possible rich areas for new research efforts that we believe will provide a meaningful impact on solar module efficiency, reliability, and durability.

• Research Organization: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC), Menlo Park, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515; AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1444003
• Report Number(s): SLAC-PUB--17227; ISBN: 978-0-12-814501-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Antireflective
Antisoiling
Functional coatings
Light management
Photovoltaic