JEDDAH: Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have developed a coating that allows solar panels to clean themselves while simultaneously capturing moisture from the air.
Dust accumulation is one of the most significant challenges facing solar energy systems, particularly in hot, arid regions with limited rainfall, where solar panels require regular cleaning that consumes substantial amounts of water and increases operating costs. The innovation was developed to address this challenge.
KAUST researchers tested the coating outdoors on the university’s campus for six months.
The research team is currently assessing the coating’s durability and performance over longer time periods and under a range of environmental conditions.
The study was published in the scientific journal Energy and Environmental Materials.
The coating could help to improve land and resource efficiency in environments where energy security and water management are closely linked.
