Seamus “Shay” Curran, Physics Professor and Director of Institute of NanoEnergy at the University of Houston has developed a new nanoparticle coating for solar panels that helps preserve their efficiency and reduces the cost of maintenance.
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The novel coating which is yet to be patented has already passed tests conducted at the Dublin Institute for Technology and is scheduled to undergo field trials to be implemented by a North Carolina based engineering firm.
According to Curran, the two rounds of tests are important steps in the transition of the coating labeled the “Self-Cleaning Nano Hydrophobic (SCNH107) layer” from laboratory to the marketplace.
Dust, water, pollen and other particles accumulate on solar panels and can affect the performance drastically by hindering the gathering of sun light. The nanoparticle coating prevents the accumulation of these particles and even repels water without affecting the ability of the panel to absorb solar energy. Though the coating is developed for solar panels, it can be extended to act as an anti-corrosive coating for other applications.
The nanoparticle coating has been licensed by a start-up venture, C-Voltaics in which the University of Houston has a stake. The company turns to technology to bring down the maintenance and operational charges of solar power. C-Voltaics will take charge of the marketing of the nanoparticle coating along with another novel product “Storm Cell” which is a portable solar energy generator developed by Curran.
Source: http://www.uh.edu
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