The need for modified surfaces on solar applications in the MENA region

 
The Need for Modified Surfaces on Solar Applications in the MENA Region The transparency of the cover glass determines the yield performance of PV systems. In particular, the adherence of dirt, dust and aerosol particles can lead to significant losses in performance; hence, the transparency of solar glass in desert areas significantly deteriorates over time. State of the art PV systems are equipped with antireflective coatings which are subject to extreme conditions in desert areas, since they were not designed for the Mena region and therefore it is a major challenge over the anticipated 20-30 years of operation. While a great share of the PV operating companies concentrates on mitigation strategies, there is still a need for investigation to get to the root cause of the problem and to seek for solutions. The industry provides PV systems; the customer has to take care of mitigation, which reduces the benefits and lifetime of the systems, whilst raising the costs. Fraunhofer ISC a pioneer and solution provider in the field of solar applications offers both, the root cause research as far as sustainable pollution mechanisms concerns, as well as mitigation strategies by functional coatings, e.g. antireflective coatings combined with dust-repellent layers to minimize cleaning intervals and personnel costs.