Increasing the solar energy absorption by using self-cleaning glass surface coatings to improve the efficiency of solar cells

Among renewable energies, using photovoltaic systems to convert solar energy into electricity without noise, toxin production and release of greenhouse gases has become increasingly important. Despite the advances in solar cell technologies, these cells are diversely used on building roofs in urban areas, which exposes them to problems such as rapid deposition that reduces light transmittance and cell efficiency.(1) The upper layer of solar cells consists of a glass surface with various applications.(2) The present study aimed to enhance the self-cleaning ability of the anti-reflection layer containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles for the glass surface of the solar cells, which has photocatalytic properties. The surface was prepared by the nanosol/immersion method. After calcination at the temperatures of 400 to 550 centigrade for an hour, the surface was placed in a methylene blue solution (concentration of 30 µM) and exposed to ultraviolet light for 90 minutes. Using an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer, the level of self-cleaning and removal of organic contaminants (methylene blue) of the two surfaces were compared and measured against the glass without surface based on its absorption at the wavelength of 665 nm. In addition, the reduction of light transmittance was evaluated. Also, analysis of the changing nature of the nanoparticle was performed by an X-ray diffraction (XRD) device, and morphology of the surface and cross-sections of the films by a scanning electron microscope (SEM).