Development and characterization of photocatalytic, antibacterial and antireflective surface coatings for photovoltaic (PV) panels.

In this research, the efficiency of PV panel surfaces due to environmental pollution (dust, dirt and CO2 etc.) pollution results in loss of output power. Self-cleaning, photocatalytic, anti-reflection and anti-bacterial coatings developed to reduce this effect were coated on glass surfaces by Sol Gel method and the effects of the coatings made on the efficiency of PV panels were investigated. The optical and photo catalytic properties of the coatings made were characterized by contact angle measurement and SEM microscope, respectively. Panels coated with increased light transmittance on the PV panel surface; showed self-cleaning properties, anti-reflection effect and anti-bacterial surface formation. Of the coatings made on the panel surfaces; Photo catalytic and anti-reflection effect was provided with TiO2, SiO2 elements, and an antibacterial surface was obtained with the B2O3 element. Four panels covered with TiO2, SiO2, B2O3 and TiO2 + SiO2 + B2O3 and uncoated panels were compared. PV panels are located in the external environment and the most efficient coating determination was made with the data received from the photovoltaic system assembly to measure the extra energy produced.