Anti-Soiling Coating Technologies for PV Panels Under Dust Storm Conditions

Year : 2026 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 02 | Page : 28 38
By

Stephen Monday,

Harvinder Kaur Sidhu,

Kashish Pathan,

  1. Research Fellow, Environmental Science, Faculty of Allied and Healthcare Sciences, Desh Bhagat University, NH-44, Amloh Road, Mandi Gobindgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India
  2. Dean of Agriculture & Life Sciences and IQAC Coordinator, Desh Bhagat University, NH-44, Amloh Road, Mandi Gobindgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India
  3. Researcher, Department of Clinical Psychology, Desh Bhagat University, NH-44, Amloh Road, Mandi Gobindgarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, India

Abstract

Background: Deployment of photovoltaics (PV) in arid and semi-arid areas where there is ample sunlight has been increasing quickly because of their high solar irradiation. The rising number of dust storms, as well as depositing particulate matter into the air, has caused a significant decrease in energy production due to reduced transmittance of light through the surface of the PV panel from the dust on the panel’s surface. This has led to the development of transparent coatings that are both anti-dusting and anti-soiling, which serve as passive strategies to enhance the optical performance of the PV panels and reduce the number of maintenance operations required on the panels by cleaning or washing. Method: A systematic review of the literature (31 studies published from 2016 to 2022 in peer-reviewed journals) was conducted using the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies selected for review met the criteria of investigating the use of transparent anti-soiling coatings (hydrophobic, superhydrophobic, photovoltaic, anti-static, and hybrid nanocoatings) on PV devices in arid regions. Results: The studies reviewed coating your PV panel with an anti-soiling coating generally reduced dust’s bond/adhesion to the panel by 18–79%, improved the optical transmissibility of light through the panel by 2–12%, and increased the overall energy produced by the PV panel by 3–18%, respectively, when tested under field test conditions. The coating type providing the greatest reducing effect of dust adhesion was found to be the superhydrophobic silica coatings, while the coating demonstrating the highest level of self-cleaning by way of dew formation was TiO₂-based coatings. The hybrid-nanocomposite coatings were the most durable when subjected to both abrasion and UV degradation. Conclusion: The use of transparent anti-soiling coatings applied to PV panels in arid regions will provide a significant reduction in energy production due to dust accumulation on the panel surfaces. In the future, coatings will need to be developed that possess multiple sets of properties, including anti-static characteristics; UV Resistance; abrasion resistance; and environmental friendliness.

Keywords: Photovoltaic, dust storms, anti-soiling coatings, transparent coatings, desert solar systems

[This article belongs to Journal of Thin Films, Coating Science Technology & Application ]

How to cite this article: Stephen Monday, Harvinder Kaur Sidhu, Kashish Pathan. Anti-Soiling Coating Technologies for PV Panels Under Dust Storm Conditions. Journal of Thin Films, Coating Science Technology & Application. 2026; 13(02):28-38.
How to cite this URL: Stephen Monday, Harvinder Kaur Sidhu, Kashish Pathan. Anti-Soiling Coating Technologies for PV Panels Under Dust Storm Conditions. Journal of Thin Films, Coating Science Technology & Application. 2026; 13(02):28-38. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jotcsta/article=2026/view=249127

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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 02
Received 15/05/2026
Accepted 21/05/2026
Published 10/06/2026
Publication Time 26 Days

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