Super-hydrophobic and Anti-dust coating on Solar Panels

1. Business Plan
UPES
Development of
Super Hydrophobic
Transparent ‘anti dust’
Coating on Solar Panel
Prateek Diwan
UTD ID: 2021212316

2. Dust on solar panel Snow accumulation on solar panel Corrosion on solar panel
Business Problems
 The accumulation of dust and snow on solar panel is a major problem and the
efficiency of the solar panels decreases considerably, therefore their utility becomes
more challenging.
 Conventional way of cleaning leads to corrosion problem which reduces the life of
solar panels.
Advantage of “ anti dust’ coating
Nano-order surface roughness on film will create nano air pockets which will increases the
contact angle or reduces the wettability of water drop ( dew/ rain drop) which will keep away
the dust and contamination and reduces the snow accumulation.

3. TUenicquhe nFeiactuarel FeKaetyu Perrefosrmance Indicator
Extremely Robust
coating
10-100 x improved hardness and superior thermal cooling Suitable metallic nano particle will improve the
hardness and thermal capability and can by confirmed by experiment
Super hydrophobic Droplet contact angle >160° & Roll off angle < 10°.
Optically transparent Transparency (95%+) Roughness and transmittance are two conflicting properties and to achieve
superhydrophobicity [high roughness], transmittance can be achieved up to 90-95%
Inherently self-cleaning
Reduces the need for cleaning and washing of optical components; energy savings
Advantages
Key Benefits Economic Implication
Improved Efficiency and
additional power generation
Improves the efficiency of solar panel by 2%; Results in a 12% increase in the power generated
Reduces Payback period Increases the profitability by $14.6 M per anum
Increases the life of solar panels As per manufacturer, the life of solar panel is upto15 years only and one of important parameter is muddy
surface and their manual cleaning with water will create corrosion problem. This corroded surface will become a
hub for growth of algae and other microorganisms or creatures, responsible for loss of solar panels life. So , in
overall by overcome all these losses by using such coating, the life of solar panel will be increased up to five
years.
Non-toxic Eliminates volatile toxic and waste disposal requirements, resulting in cost savings
80% of energy sources are obtained from burning of fossil fuel such as coal, oil and natural gas which released
CO2, CO, NO and other toxic gases, causing many potential environmental problems such as green house effect.
It can be minimized by using solar panels which is most abundantly available and has the potential of meeting
the rising energy demands.
waste disposal can not be used in coating. Here non-toxic means environment friendly only. it does not have any
relation with cost.

4. Competitive Differentiation
Super Hydro
Phobic
Durable Transparent Scalable Technology
Hydrophobic
coating (Aculon)
No ? Yes Yes SAM-Phosphates
Hydrophobic
coating
(SANDIA)
Yes ? Yes Yes Sol-gel SIO2
Rain-X(Ecolab,
Inc)
No No Yes Yes Polymeric
organ silicon
Anti-fouling
coating Nanocyl
No ? No Yes CNT in silicone
Fluorothane
(Cyntrix corp)
Yes No No Yes Fluoropolymer
Self-cleaning
Nanotechnology
(Ross Inc)
Yes ? No Yes Spray-on
Powder

5. Target Customers –Market Potential and Current
Practice
Primary Target Customer Market Potential Current Practice
Solar Panels Global Market Size - $600
Million; Worldwide Installed
Capacity- 72 GW; 5% global
CAGR
Nano-spray Combustion
Nano spray combustion is used
rarely market size not available
Manual cleaning is preferred
over solutions
Secondary Target Customer Market Potential Current Practice
Coated Float Glass Global Market Size - $20 billion;
Indian market - $300 million
Polymer Coatings
Tio2 paint is available but major
market is untapped
Automotive Glass Global Market size - $2 billion Polymer Coatings
Untapped market

7. Commercialization Plan