Soiling and anti-soiling coatings on surfaces of solar thermal systems - featuring an economic feasibility analysis

Glazing materials of solar thermal systems are directly exposed to outdoor weathering and influenced by dirt deposition in arid regions. There, major soiling effects can decrease the efficiency drastically, which recently moved dust accumulation and dust-repellent properties into focus. This rising demand has brought attention to functional glass and coatings with so-called antisoiling properties. In a market survey are suitable, market-available coatings samples pre-selected to compare the anti-soiling mechanism on hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. The market survey is followed by an economic feasibility study of coatings on solar thermal systems. The implemented profitability analysis is used to detect yearly performance gain by application of anti-soiling coatings on solar power plants. An increased gain up to 3 percent is simulated and definitely conceivable. The glazing is further exposed to soiling tests to analyze their functionality and wettability. FT-IR spectroscopy was used before, during and after the tests, as characterization method. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.