LI Cong, ZHENG Yufeng, WANG Haoyu, LI Yihang, CHEN Jian
Solar panels operate outdoors for extended periods, and dust, dirt and other pollutants tend to accumulate on their surfaces, thus reducing the power generation efficiency of the system. Traditional cleaning methods are costly and prone to damaging photovoltaic panels. In contrast, self-cleaning coatings can maintain solar panels clean for long periods, and are of great significance for the high-efficiency operation and long service life of solar panels. So self-cleaning coatings have become a key research focus in the solar energy field. Herein, a systematic review of research on self-cleaning coatings for solar panels was presented, detailing the characteristics of dust on the surface of solar panels and analyzing the impact of dust accumulation on their service life. Meanwhile, this paper comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the preparation methods and self-cleaning performance of both superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic self-cleaning coatings, and compared their application effects and scenarios, while elucidating their self-cleaning mechanisms. The study found that the composition of dust on solar panel surfaces varied in different regions, the dust accumulation rate and adhesive contact force on photovoltaic panels were primarily influenced by dust particle size. Dust accumulation could reduce the service life of solar panels. Furthermore, both superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic coatings could effectively maintain the cleanliness of solar panel surfaces for a long time, thereby effectively enhancing the power output of solar panels.
