The British Renewable Energy and Sustainability Technology (CREST) Research Center at Loughborough University in the UK has made a breakthrough with a new glass surface multi-layer anti-reflection (AR) coating technology. This innovation is designed to boost the efficiency of solar panels while significantly reducing glare, making it a promising advancement for the renewable energy sector. The broadband AR coating covers the entire wavelength range that solar cells can absorb, cutting down light reflection by over 70%. Normally, about 4% of incident light is reflected off glass surfaces, which is a major loss for photovoltaic systems. According to Professor Michael Walls, a researcher and co-inventor at CREST, this new coating can bring that reflection rate down to below 1%, allowing more light to be absorbed by the solar cells. As a result, the photocurrent increases, leading to an approximate 3.5% rise in overall efficiency. The design uses a laminated structure with four alternating layers of zirconia and silica, each less than 300 nm thick. These materials are not only abundant but also cost-effective, making the coating both affordable and easy to produce. The team emphasized that the goal was to create a high-quality coating using the simplest and most economical approach possible. This technology has been specifically highlighted for use in thin-film CdTe photovoltaics, but its applications extend to other thin-film technologies like copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and amorphous silicon. It's also compatible with crystalline silicon modules, as well as next-generation technologies such as organic photovoltaics and perovskite-based systems. The multi-layer design can be tailored to suit different solar technologies based on their specific wavelength requirements. Professor Walls added that the “reducing glare” aspect of the coating could also enhance the visual appeal of solar installations, making them more aesthetically pleasing. In testing, the coating was applied using magnetron sputtering—a technique commonly used in the production of anti-reflective coatings for eyeglasses—making it highly scalable for industrial use. Glass manufacturers already possess the necessary equipment to apply these coatings, which means the technology is ready for mass production. Experts believe that as production scales up, the cost will drop significantly, making this solution even more attractive for solar module manufacturers. The material is also scratch-resistant and durable, meeting the industry’s 25-year warranty standards. Looking ahead, the research team plans to refine the coating design to better match the bandgap requirements of all types of solar technologies, ensuring broader applicability and performance improvements.

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